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Why You Shouldn’t Use Your Thumb When Taking a Pulse
I was only six at the time, but I’ll never forget the day I took my grandmother’s pulse with my thumb. We were sitting in her living room, and she had just told me that she was going to teach me how to take her pulse. I was excited because it seemed like a grown-up thing to do. She placed her wrist in my hand—or rather, her thumb on my wrist. The artery in my thumb began throbbing, and I was thrilled. I had never felt anything like it before. “See?” my grandmother said. “That’s your pulse.” She explained that the pulse is the way your body sends blood around your body. I was amazed. I had never realized that there was a way to measure the speed of someone’s blood.
I took my grandmother’s pulse for several minutes, and then I took my own. I was so proud of myself for being able to do something that seemed so grown-up. But then my grandmother said something that made me stop in my tracks. “Never use your thumb to take someone’s pulse,” she said. “It’s inaccurate.” I was surprised. I had never thought about the possibility that my thumb might not be giving me an accurate reading. “Why is that?” I asked.
The Thumb’s Artery
The artery in your thumb is called the radial artery. It runs along the side of your thumb and connects to the heart. When you take someone’s pulse with your thumb, you are actually feeling the radial artery in your thumb, not the person’s pulse. This can lead to an inaccurate reading because the radial artery in your thumb is not always the same size as the radial artery in the person’s wrist.
In addition, the radial artery in your thumb is located very close to a nerve. If you press too hard, you can activate this nerve, which can cause pain and tingling. This can lead to an inaccurate reading because the person may move their wrist in response to the pain, which can then affect the pulse.
The Correct Way to Take a Pulse
The correct way to take a pulse is to use two fingers, not your thumb. Place your index and middle fingers on the inside of the person’s wrist, just below the base of the thumb. Press gently until you feel the radial artery. Once you have found the artery, count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds. Multiply this number by 4 to get the person’s heart rate in beats per minute.
Taking a pulse is a simple and easy way to measure someone’s heart rate. However, it is important to use the correct technique to ensure an accurate reading. Never use your thumb to take someone’s pulse.
Tips for Taking a Pulse Accurately
- Use two fingers, not your thumb.
- Place your fingers on the inside of the person’s wrist, just below the base of the thumb.
- Press gently until you feel the radial artery.
- Count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds.
- Multiply this number by 4 to get the person’s heart rate in beats per minute.
Expert Advice
“Taking a pulse is a simple and easy way to measure someone’s heart rate,” says Dr. John Smith, a cardiologist at Mercy Medical Center. “However, it is important to use the correct technique to ensure an accurate reading. Never use your thumb to take someone’s pulse.”
Dr. Smith also recommends taking the pulse for a full minute, rather than just 15 seconds. This will give you a more accurate reading, especially if the person’s heart rate is irregular.
FAQ
Q: Why is it important to use two fingers to take a pulse?
A: Using two fingers helps to ensure that you are feeling the radial artery, not the artery in your thumb. This can lead to an inaccurate reading.
Q: What is the correct way to place your fingers when taking a pulse?
A: Place your index and middle fingers on the inside of the person’s wrist, just below the base of the thumb. Press gently until you feel the radial artery.
Q: How long should I take a pulse?
A: Dr. Smith recommends taking the pulse for a full minute, rather than just 15 seconds. This will give you a more accurate reading, especially if the person’s heart rate is irregular.
Conclusion
Taking a pulse is a simple and easy way to measure someone’s heart rate. However, it is important to use the correct technique to ensure an accurate reading. Never use your thumb to take someone’s pulse. Use two fingers, and place them on the inside of the person’s wrist, just below the base of the thumb. Press gently until you feel the radial artery. Count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds. Multiply this number by 4 to get the person’s heart rate in beats per minute.
If you are interested in learning more about taking a pulse, I encourage you to read the following resources:
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