Definition

Noun: The number of times a person's heart beats per minute. It is a vital sign used to quickly assess a person's cardiovascular health and general physical condition.

Usage

The term "pulse rate" is used to describe a measurable physiological sign. It is typically counted at the wrist or neck over a set period (often 15, 30, or 60 seconds) and then calculated for one minute. A normal resting pulse rate varies by age and fitness level.

Examples

• The nurse checked the patient's pulse rate and recorded it in the chart.
• A high pulse rate after minimal exertion can be a sign of poor fitness.
• His resting pulse rate is 58 beats per minute, which is excellent for an athlete.

Advanced Usage

• "To take someone's pulse rate": To measure the number of heartbeats per minute.
  • The doctor took my pulse rate before the examination.
• "Pulse rate variability": A more advanced concept referring to the variation in time intervals between heartbeats, often used in health monitoring.
  • The smartwatch tracks my pulse rate variability to assess stress levels.

Variants and Related Words

• Heart rate (n): Often used interchangeably with "pulse rate," though technically, heart rate is the number of heart contractions per minute, while pulse rate is the number of times those contractions create a palpable wave in the arteries. In most contexts, they are the same.
  • The monitor displayed both her heart rate and blood pressure.
• Pulse (n): The rhythmic beating or vibration felt in the arteries. "Pulse rate" is the measurement of this rhythm.
  • She felt for a pulse on the injured man's wrist.

Synonyms

• Heart rate: The frequency of the cardiac cycle.
• Beats per minute (BPM): A unit of measurement for pulse/heart rate.

Related Phrases

• Resting pulse rate: The heart rate when a person is at complete rest, a key health indicator.
  • A lower resting pulse rate generally indicates better cardiovascular fitness.
• Elevated pulse rate: A pulse rate that is higher than the normal range for the individual's age and condition.
  • Fever and dehydration can cause an elevated pulse rate.

Noun

1. the rate at which the heart beats; usually measured to obtain a quick evaluation of a person's health