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Home › Health › Anatomy › Pulse and Heart Rate

Pulse and Heart Rate





Sites where pulses can easily be palpated (felt)

(name of artery – location)

  • Radial – wrist (most common area for taking a pulse)
  • Brachial – inner elbow (most common area for taking a blood pressure reading)
  • Temporal – temple
  • Facial – the cheek just above the jaw near the mouth
  • Carotid – on the neck below the jaw
  • Femoral – groin
  • Popliteal – behind the knee
  • Posterior tibial – just behind the ankle bone
  • Dorsalis pedis – top of the foot toward the ankle

Factors affecting heart rate:

  • Size: the larger the size, the slower the rate. For example, a grizzly bear has a heart rate of about 30 beats a minute while a hummingbird’s is about 200 beats per minute.
  • Gender: a woman’s heart rate is generally faster than a man’s.
  • Age: generally the younger a person is, the faster the heart rate. An infant’s heart rate is about 120 beats per minute; a child’s is around 100; an adult’s is between 70 and 80; an elderly person generally hovers in the 60s.
  • Exercise: temporarily increases the heart rate.
  • Stimulation of the autonomic nerves.
  • Hormones: influence heart rate, especially epinephrine, norepinephrine, and thyroid hormones, all of which can increase the rate.
  • Pathology: certain diseases affect heart rate, causing it either to slow or to race. Either one sets the stage for further dysrhythmias.
  • Medications and drugs: For example, digitalis slows the rate, while epinephrine (Adrenalin) increases it. Caffeine can also cause palpitations or extra beats.




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