Undergoing a blood pressure check or tracking our body’s response to stress are some of the more common reasons we should check our pulse rate.
However, research shows many of us are unsure of how to check our pulse, but did you know that understanding your pulse rate can also help identify a serious heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF)?
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that primarily affects people 55+ years old and its symptoms can go unnoticed. Symptoms could include; general fatigue, rapid and irregular heartbeat, fluttering or “thumping” in the chest, dizziness, shortness of breath and anxiety, weakness, faintness or confusion, fatigue when exercising, and sweating.
AF increases the risk of stroke by three to five times, so it is important to take action to reduce your risk, and one way is to understand your pulse rate.
Feel the beat
Are you unsure about how to take your pulse? Here are three simple steps:
Step 1:
Place your index and middle finger on the underside of your opposite wrist, below the base of your thumb.
Step 2:
Using the flat part of your fingers, press firmly but not so hard that you can’t feel your pulse. A regular pulse will feel even and consistent while an irregular pulse will feel erratic and unpredictable.
Step 3:
For 30 seconds, count the number of beats and multiply that by two to get your beats per minute. During exercise, count your beats for 10 seconds and multiply by six.
Speak with your doctor or visit www.heart.org for more information.
