Each heartbeat sends a pressure wave that can be felt at the wrist. The pulse is the rhythmic expansion of arteries produced by the ejection of blood from the left ventricle, palpable at various body sites.

Rate, rhythm, and character of the pulse provide immediate information about cardiac function and volume status. Common sites include the radial, carotid, femoral, and dorsalis pedis arteries. A weak, rapid pulse may indicate shock; an irregular pulse suggests arrhythmia.

Counting the pulse remains a basic clinical skill taught to all healthcare workers. Electronic monitors display pulse rate continuously in acute settings, yet manual assessment still detects irregularities machines may average away. Symmetry of pulses can reveal vascular obstruction.

• Palpable arterial expansion with each heartbeat
• Assessed for rate, rhythm, and quality
• Reflects cardiac output and vascular status
• Checked at multiple standard anatomical sites