Checking your carotid pulse

Find the artery on one side of your neck near your windpipe. You can check your carotid pulse on either side of your neck. Do not do this if your healthcare team has told you that you have plaque in your neck arteries.

1. Place the tips of your index and middle fingers in the groove next to your windpipe to feel your carotid pulse. Do not press on both sides of your neck at the same time. This may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded or cause you to faint.
2. Press lightly so you can feel each beat. Do not push too hard. Doing so might block blood flow.
3. Look at the second hand on a watch or clock or set a timer for one minute. Count how many beats you feel. The number of beats you feel in one minute is your pulse rate.

Many things can affect your pulse rate, also called your heart rate. They include your age, some medicines, health conditions, pregnancy and exercise. Ask your healthcare team what your target heart rate should be.