Pulse Measurement

What To Think About

Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• An irregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitations). Palpitations can be persistent or may come and go (episodic).
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath

Talk to your doctor if you have a fast heart rate, many skipped or extra beats, or if the blood vessel where you check your pulse feels hard.

Many people take their pulse during or right after exercise, to check their heart rate and to find out if they are exercising at a healthy pace. Your heart rate (pulse) during and after exercise will be higher than your resting heart rate.

Call your doctor if your heart rate does not come down within a few minutes after you have stopped exercising.

As you continue to exercise regularly, your heart rate will not rise as high as it once did with the same amount of effort. This is a sign that you are becoming more fit. For more information, see the topic Fitness.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: April 17, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine
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