3.2 Pulse Rate
Pulse rate is a vital health parameter that reflects how fast the heart beats. By detecting arterial pulses at specific points near the skin surface, individuals can measure heartbeats per minute and observe how physical activity, age, and gender influence heart performance.
Learning Objectives
- Define pulse rate and state its standard unit of measurement.
- Identify the pulse points on the human body where arteries are near the skin surface.
- Describe how doctors typically measure pulse rate using the wrist.
- Explain the effects of gender, age, and physical activity on human pulse rate based on experiments.
- Identify other factors related to pulse rate such as health level, fitness level, emotions, stress, and pregnancy.
Pulse Points and Measurement on the Human Body
Common anatomical pulse points where arteries lie close to the skin, along with the correct finger positioning on the wrist.
Short Explanation
Definition
Pulse rate is the measurement of the number of heartbeats per minute (bpm).
Pulse rate is detected at pulse points, where arteries are located very close to the surface of the skin. When the heart beats, the pulse is sent to these arteries and felt through the skin.
Doctors usually take the pulse at the wrist because the pulse there is clear, prominent, and easy to access.
Correct finger technique. Use two fingers — the index and middle fingers — gently pressed on the wrist. Do not use the thumb, because the thumb has its own strong arterial pulse which causes inaccurate readings.
Pulse rate varies among individuals. Females generally have higher pulse rates than males, younger individuals have higher pulse rates than older adults, and more vigorous physical activity elevates the pulse rate. Pregnancy, stress, emotions, and fitness level also affect pulse rate.
Factors Affecting Pulse Rate
Gender, age, physical activity, and other health-related factors change the number of heartbeats per minute.
| Factor | Hypothesis | Manipulated variable | Responding variable | Constant variables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Females have a higher pulse rate compared to males. | Gender | Pulse rate | Time period, age, and type of physical activity |
| Age | The older a person is, the lower his pulse rate. | Age | Pulse rate | Time period, gender, and type of physical activity |
| Physical activity | The more vigorous the physical activity, the higher the pulse rate. | Type of physical activity | Pulse rate | Time period, age, and gender |
Other Factors
Fitness level / Athletes
Resting pulse rate of an athlete is lower than non-athletes because an athlete's heart muscle is stronger and pumps more blood per beat.
Pregnancy
A pregnant woman has a higher pulse rate than a non-pregnant woman because the heart must pump more blood to provide oxygen and nutrients to the foetus.
Emotions and stress
Emotional changes and elevated stress levels can increase pulse rate.
Health level
Sickness or illness alters resting pulse rate.
Try to Answer First
Answer in your mind, then press “Check Answer”.
What is the definition of pulse rate, and what is its standard unit?
Why do doctors usually measure the pulse at the wrist?
How does vigorous physical activity affect a person's pulse rate?
Common Mistakes
- Using the thumb instead of the index and middle fingers to take a pulse, which mistakenly detects the pulse from the thumb's own artery.
- Assuming resting pulse rate is identical for every individual, ignoring differences caused by gender, age, fitness level, and emotional state.
- Assuming athletes have higher resting pulse rates than non-athletes due to active lifestyles, whereas well-trained athletes actually have lower resting pulse rates.
Concept Misunderstandings
Pulse can be felt anywhere along veins or skin.
Pulse is only produced by the surge of blood pumped by the heart through arteries, and it is felt only where arteries lie close to the body's surface.
Older people have higher resting pulse rates because their hearts are older.
According to the textbook hypothesis, the older a person is, the lower their pulse rate.
A pregnant woman has the same pulse rate as a non-pregnant woman.
Pregnancy increases the resting pulse rate because the mother's heart must pump extra blood to supply nutrients and oxygen to the developing foetus.
Summary
- Pulse rate indicates the number of heartbeats per minute (bpm).
- It is measured at pulse points where arteries run near the skin surface, most commonly at the wrist.
- Pulse rate is typically higher in females than males, higher in younger individuals than older adults, and increases with more vigorous physical activities like running.
- It is also affected by fitness, emotions, stress, and pregnancy.
Short Activity
A. Objective Quiz
1 Why is the wrist the most common pulse point used by doctors to measure pulse rate?
2 What happens to the pulse rate when a person shifts from resting to running?
B. Fill in the Blanks
3 Pulse rate is the measurement of the number of heartbeats per minute, represented by the unit .
4 In Experiment 3.1A, the hypothesis states that have a higher pulse rate compared to males.
C. Drag and Drop: Match the Factor to Its Description
Drag each factor or concept to its correct description according to the textbook. On a phone, tap an answer first, then tap a matching box. Tap the Answer Choices area to return a selected item.
C. Match the Factor to Its Description
Write the correct factor or concept next to each description.
| Description | Factor / Concept |
|---|---|
| 1. Area where an artery is very close to the skin surface | |
| 2. Results in a higher pulse rate compared to resting | |
| 3. Exhibits a lower resting pulse rate than non-athletes | |
| 4. Factor where older individuals generally exhibit a lower pulse rate |
Answer choices: Pulse point • Vigorous activity • Trained athlete • Age
