According to the Harvard Medical School Special Health Report Diseases of the Heart, it's easy to check your pulse using just your fingers, either at the wrist or the side of the neck.
• At the wrist, lightly press the index and middle fingers of one hand on the opposite wrist, just below the base of the thumb.
• At the neck, lightly press the side of the neck, just below your jawbone.
• Count the number of beats in 15 seconds, and multiply by four. That's your heart rate.
To get the most accurate reading, you may want to repeat a few times and use the average of the three values. For a resting heart rate measurement, you should also follow these steps:
• Do not measure your heart rate within one to two hours after exercise or a stressful event. Your heart rate can stay elevated after strenuous activities.
• Wait an hour after consuming caffeine, which can cause heart palpitations and make your heart rate rise.
• Do not take the reading after you have been sitting or standing for a long period, which can affect your heart rate.
