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Description

The clinical test pulse is a measure of the patient's heart rate. It is obtained by taking the patient's pulse at the radial artery, located on the wrist. To take the pulse, the clinician places two fingers on the patient's wrist and counts the number of beats in a 15-second period. The number of beats in that period is then multiplied by four to get the patient's heart rate. The pulse rate can also be taken at the carotid artery, located in the neck, or at the femoral artery, located in the groin.

Synonyms

• heart beat
• heart rate
• HR
• pulse rate

Some Diseases Associated with an Abnormal Pulse

• congenital pneumonia
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• obstructive chronic bronchitis with acute exacerbation
• anemia
• iron deficiency anemia
• chronic-disease anemia
• heat stroke
• chronic-renal-failure anemia

Detailed Laboratory Testing Information (use the custom search buttons below to find details on these topics)

All of the following must be considered when interpreting clinical findings and are too extensive to be covered on this site: