How to take your own pulse

Follow these simple steps to test your pulse and measure how quickly your heart is beating.

Step 1: Relax for 10 minutes
Rest quietly for 10 minutes to take a resting heart rate measurement. If you are testing your active heart rate, test after activity.

Step 2: Find your pulse
Turn your left arm palm-up and place the first two fingers of your right hand on the inside of your wrist, just below your thumb. Press gently to feel your pulse.

Your carotid artery on the side of your neck may give a stronger pulse.

Step 3: Count beats
Count the number of beats you feel over 30 seconds. Double that number for the number of beats per minute.

The average resting heart rate for an adult man is 70 beats per minute, and 75 beats for an adult woman.

Step 4: Maintain a healthy heart rate
Keep your heart pumping and your heart rate low with exercise and a healthy diet.

Fact: Your heart beats more than 2.5 billion times over the course of a 70-year lifetime.