Heart Rate

Radial pulse, November 9, 2021. Courtesy of Mikayla Morton.

Assessing a Client’s Heart Rate

• Tools:
  • Watch or clock to monitor time
• Steps:
  1. Have client seated comfortably
  2. Locate the client’s radial pulse using index and middle finger pads (not tips)
  3. Palpate the pulse gently for 15 seconds
  4. Multiply the heart rate of 15 seconds by 4 to get the heart rate for a full minute
     • If the client’s heart rate is irregular, count for a full minute instead of only 15 seconds
  5. Document client’s heart rate as ___ bpm (beats per minute)
• Notes about heart rate:
  • Radial pulse is the most common site for checking heart rate
  • Too much pressure when palpating can cause heart rate to decrease
• Normal Values:
  • Normal heart rate at rest should be around 60-100 bpm
    • This can be lower in someone who is physically fit (40’s/50’s)
  • Tachycardia: Rapid heart rate (>100 bpm)
  • Bradycardia: Slow heart rate (<60 bpm)

(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)

References

Gett, M., & Romaniw, A. (2021, September 1). Vitals [Lecture Notes]. Brightspace. https://mylearning.chatham.edu/d2l/le/content/21252/Home

Morton, M. (Photographer). (2021). Radial pulse [Photograph].