Pulse

A pulse is the rhythmic expansion and contraction of an artery caused by the heartbeat, reflecting the heart’s beating and the flow of blood through the arteries. It can be felt in places where arteries are near the surface of the skin, such as the wrist (radial artery), neck (carotid artery), groin, behind the knee, or foot. Measuring the pulse involves counting the beats per minute (bpm), which usually ranges from 60 to 100 bpm in healthy adults. The pulse rate closely approximates the heart rate but may differ in some conditions known as pulse deficit. The pulse can provide important information about heart rhythm, strength, and blood pressure indirectly. It can be checked manually by placing fingers on the artery and counting beats for a specified time, usually 30 seconds or a full minute, often at the wrist or neck for convenience and accuracy.

The pulse’s characteristics include rate, rhythm, volume (amplitude), force, tension, and equality, which can help diagnose various cardiovascular conditions. For example, weak or hypokinetic pulses may indicate low cardiac output, while bounding pulses can suggest high cardiac output or other conditions affecting arterial pressure.

The pulse is a practical, non-invasive method to assess cardiac function and circulatory health by sensing the arterial pressure waves generated by the heart’s contractions.

In a medical context, a pulse is the rhythmic expansion and contraction of an artery that can be felt with your fingers as blood is pushed through it by the heart. It’s a direct way to measure your heart rate, which is the number of times your heart beats per minute (BPM).

How to Take a Pulse

The pulse is most commonly felt at the wrist (radial artery) or the neck (carotid artery), where an artery is close to the skin’s surface.

To take a pulse at the wrist:

1. Place the tips of your index and middle fingers on the palm side of your opposite wrist, below the base of your thumb.
2. Press lightly until you can feel the throbbing of your pulse.
3. Count the number of beats for 30 seconds and multiply by two to get your beats per minute.

Normal Pulse Rates

A “normal” pulse rate can vary greatly depending on age, fitness level, and other factors. A lower resting heart rate often indicates better cardiovascular fitness.

• Adults (18 years and older): A normal resting pulse rate is typically between 60 and 100 BPM.
• Highly trained athletes: It is common for athletes to have a resting heart rate as low as 40 BPM.
• Children: Normal pulse rates are generally higher in children and decrease with age.

Factors Affecting Pulse Rate

A person’s pulse rate is not always constant. It can be influenced by:

• Physical activity: Exercise causes the heart to beat faster to pump more oxygen to the muscles.
• Emotions: Stress, anxiety, or excitement can increase heart rate.
• Medical conditions: Illness, fever, or certain heart conditions can alter your pulse rate.
• Medications: Some medications, such as beta-blockers, can slow the heart rate.

If you are concerned about your pulse rate, or if you consistently experience a rate that is unusually high (over 100 BPM, known as tachycardia) or low (under 60 BPM, known as bradycardia) and you are not a trained athlete, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional.

The term “Pulse” could refer to several contexts depending on your intent. Since your query is brief, I’ll provide a concise overview of the most likely meanings and ask for clarification if needed:

1. Medical/Health: Pulse refers to the rhythmic beating of the heart, measured as heart rate (beats per minute). A normal resting pulse for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. It can be checked at the wrist (radial pulse) or neck (carotid pulse).
2. Technology/Product: Pulse could refer to software or devices, like Pulse Secure (a VPN and network security solution) or smart devices like the Pulse oximeter, which measures oxygen saturation in blood.
3. Media/Social Media: Pulse might relate to platforms like LinkedIn Pulse (a discontinued blogging platform) or news aggregators tracking trending topics.
4. General Concept: Pulse can mean the “vibe” or trend of a situation, like the “pulse of the market” or public sentiment.

Medical / Health Context

Pulse refers to:

• The rhythmic throbbing of arteries as blood is propelled through them, typically felt in the wrist or neck.

• Indicates heart rate (beats per minute), which helps assess:

  • Cardiovascular health

  • Stress levels

  • Fitness levels

  • Signs of illness

Normal resting pulse for adults: 60–100 bpm.

Technology / Devices

1. Pulse Sensor:

   • Hardware component used to measure heart rate, common in smartwatches, fitness bands, Arduino projects, etc.

2. Pulse Oximeter:

   • Medical device that measures oxygen saturation and pulse rate, typically used on a fingertip.

3. Network Pulse / Pulse Signal:

   • In electronics and networking, a pulse is a rapid change in signal (e.g., in digital communication, oscilloscopes, or trigger signals).

Business / Finance

1. Pulse of the Market:

   • A metaphor for monitoring trends, consumer sentiment, or market momentum.

2. Pulse Surveys:

   • Short, frequent surveys sent to employees or customers to quickly gather feedback or morale data.

3. Pulse (Software/Platform):

   • Various companies use the name “Pulse”:

     • Pulse Insights: Customer feedback platform

     • LinkedIn Pulse (now defunct): News aggregation and publishing platform

     • Pulse by Zerodha: Indian stock news aggregator

     • Pulse Secure: VPN and network security solution

Software & Tools

1. Pulse (Project Management Tool):

   • Used for team updates, status tracking, or daily check-ins.

2. GitHub Pulse:

   • Shows activity insights on a repo — commits, pull requests, etc.

Music & Entertainment

1. Albums/Songs:

   • “Pulse” by Pink Floyd – iconic live album (1995)

   • “Pulse” by various artists – used frequently as a title to evoke rhythm, emotion, or intensity

2. Movies/TV Shows:

   • Pulse (2001 / 2006) – Horror films (Japanese original + U.S. remake)

   • Pulse (TV Series) – Australian medical drama

Food & Nutrition

• Pulses: Edible seeds from leguminous plants, including:

  • Lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas

• High in protein, fiber, and nutrients

• Sustainable and a key part of plant-based diets

Figurative Use

• “Keeping a finger on the pulse” = Staying informed, aware, or engaged with current developments (in tech, culture, business, etc.)