Pulse is the regular expansion of the arteries caused by the
surge of blood that occurs each time the heart beats (contracts). It can be
felt by gently pressing the fingers on certain blood vessels that are close to
the skin's surface.
Pulse is also called heart rate, which is the
number of times the heart beats per minute (bpm). Some people like to check
their pulse before, during, and/or after they exercise. The wrist and neck are
common places to take a pulse.
Doctors usually check a person's
pulse at checkups or in an emergency. A weak pulse or a change in pulse rate or
rhythm may be a sign of heart disease or other problem.
