Where is the pulse best located?

There are several locations on the body to check your pulse. The most commonly used site for taking a pulse is the radial artery, which is located on the inner side of the wrist, at the base of the thumb. To find the pulse here, place your index and middle fingers lightly against the inner wrist, keeping the fingers flat against the skin.

Other common locations to check the pulse include:

- The carotid artery is found on either side of the neck, just below the jaw. To find the pulse, place your index and middle fingers on the side of the neck, just below the jawbone, slightly to the side.

- The brachial artery is located on the inner side of the elbow. To find the pulse, place your index and middle fingers on the upper crease of the elbow, between the biceps and triceps muscles.

- The popliteal artery is located behind the knee. To find the pulse, place your index and middle fingers behind the knee, in the hollow between the hamstring and calf muscles.

- The dorsalis pedis artery is located on the top of the foot, near the ankle. To find the pulse, place your index and middle fingers just above the ankle, between the big toe and second toe.

When checking the pulse, it's important to apply light pressure and avoid touching the artery with your thumb, which can give an inaccurate reading. It's also important to make sure to use only your index and middle fingers, as the pressure from the other fingers can also affect the accuracy of the reading.