Carotid vs Radial Pulse Counts.

In brief Carotid pulse counting is widely used to monitor exercise intensity. However, some researchers believe it may underestimate postexercise heart rates by initiating the carotid sinus reflex. This study compared carotid, radial, and ECG pulse rates in 20 asymptomatic adults. The authors concluded that carotid pulse counts can be used safely by many healthy adults, but because at least one subject had low heart rate counts after carotid palpations, they present some guidelines: Exercisers should (1) perform the procedure correctly, (2) periodically compare the carotid and radial pulses, and (3) exercise at the lower range of their target heart rate zone.