To get an accurate idea of what someone's pulse rate is, it should be measured after they have been resting for ten minutes.

One counts the beats in a set period of time (for example 30 seconds) and then multiplies it to get to the number of beats per minute. So if you have 36 beats in 30 seconds, you multiply it by two to get a rate per minute, which would be 72.

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The pulse can be measured in the neck, the groin, the wrist, the temple, on top of the foot or behind the knee.

Place your index or middle finger over one of the areas mentioned above. The neck has the strongest pulse and is easiest to feel. It’s easiest to feel it with two fingers in your neck – follow the arch of the trachea from the midline of your throat to either the left or right side of your neck. You’ll feel the beating pulse right where the arch of the trachea curves into the hollow “valley”. Do not use your thumb, as it has a pulse of its own.

Count the number of beats in 30 or 60 seconds. If you measure it for 30 seconds, multiply by two to get a rate per minute.

Soon this will be old hat, and you be able to feel your pulse for a mere 10 seconds. You should count 1/6th of your heart rate. For most people this will be anything between 15 and 20 beats per 10 seconds.

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