PULSE PROCEDURE
I heard someone discuss the best way to take pulse after exercising. He indicated that most people take their pulse on one of the major arteries at the front of the neck. He said you should not hold the artery too long or you could cause damage to the brain, and that you should never hold both arteries down at the same time.
Typically I take my pulse after exercising. Although I usually press on one artery in my neck I have on occasion used both arteries simultaneously.
To say the least, I was frightened by the doctor’s comment, thinking that I may have done irreparable harm to myself. What are the dangers in taking your pulse this way?
Answer:
The fact that you had no discernible problem is proof enough that it didn’t cause you any harm. But I don’t recommend pressing on both neck arteries at the same time either.
The arteries pulsate and you do not need to press down hard on them or obliterate the pulse to count your heart rate. Just let your fingertips feel the natural beat. The arteries you are asking about are the carotid arteries on each side of the windpipe, about the level of your voice box.
It is true that if you occlude the artery, or particularly both arteries, that you may interrupt enough blood flow to the brain to cause a problem. This is very unlikely in young people. And if you had a clotted artery you could dislodge a clot.
More likely is that even by ’stroking’ the artery you can set off a carotid reflex that slows the heart or may cause fainting. Some people have a hyperactive carotid reflex and may faint from having a barber tighten the cloth around their neck.
You might find that you can take your pulse just as well from your temple artery just in front of your ear, or your radial artery in your wrist just above the the base of the thumb (palm side). A little practice usually makes it easy to get a pulse from either location.
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