Find your pulse on your wrist and neck (for 7-year-olds)

Your pulse is the beat of your heart that you can feel under your skin. It feels like tiny taps or drumming. You can feel it in places where an artery runs close to the skin, like your wrist and your neck.

What you need

• A grown-up nearby (just in case)
• A quiet place to sit still for a little bit
• A watch or phone with a second hand or timer

How to find your pulse on your wrist (radial pulse)

1. Hold one arm out with the palm facing up.
2. Use the index and middle finger of your other hand (not your thumb) and place them on the wrist, on the thumb side just below where your palm starts.
3. Press gently until you feel a steady tapping. That tapping is your pulse.
4. Count the taps for 30 seconds and then multiply by 2 to get beats per minute (or count 15 seconds and multiply by 4).

How to find your pulse on your neck (carotid pulse)

1. Sit or lie down and relax. Use the index and middle finger of one hand.
2. Place your fingers gently on one side of your neck, in the soft space between your windpipe and the big muscle at the side of your neck. Do not press both sides at the same time.
3. When you feel the steady tapping, count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.

Counting tips

• Stay still and breathe normally while you count.
• If it’s hard to feel, try a little lighter or a little firmer pressure (not too hard).
• Practice a few times to get better at finding and counting your pulse.

What is a normal heartbeat for a 7-year-old?

At rest, many children around 7 years old have about 70 to 110 beats per minute. Everyone is a little different. If your number is close to what it usually is, that’s good.

When to tell an adult

• If your heart is much faster or much slower than usual (for example, much above 120 or much below 60) tell a grown-up.
• If you feel dizzy, very tired, have chest pain, or trouble breathing, tell an adult right away and get medical help.
• Always ask a grown-up before you check someone else’s pulse, especially on the neck.

Great job! Try it a few times and show a parent or teacher what you learned.