The most difficult pulse to find in the body is the popliteal pulse.It is an important sign since the popliteal pulse can be used to determine the severity and nature of a knee or femur injury.If you can't feel the pulse, it's not necessarily a sign of a problem.A person with deep vessels or thick muscles may be preventing you from feeling the rhythm in the arteries.It is unlikely that you will be able to feel your own pulse, so if you are looking to check yours, have a friend help you.
Step 1: The patient should lie down.
The popliteal pulse can be difficult to detect, so you want to make sure you have good access to the area.If possible, have the patient lie down on their back.If they can't get on their back, lie down.It's important to detect the popliteal pulse.The patient should allow the leg to go limp.It might be helpful to take them through some guided breathing if they are struggling.
Step 2: The knee should be flexed.
Lift the patient's leg up by the sides of their knee while they are lying down.
Step 3: Feel for the heart.
Curl your fingers under the knee and place one hand under it.The fingertips can be used to feel the arteries.The arteries will give resistance when pressed, and may feel stronger than the surrounding area.Try not to press too hard, as this could make the other person uncomfortable.
Step 4: It's a good idea to cut against the artery.
The tips of your fingers can be used to compress the arteries.Feel the pulse as you push slowly and softly.This could cause you to lose the feeling of the pulse if you push too hard.Push until you feel the beat in the arteries.As your thumb has its own pulse that may obstruct the reading, try not to use it as you look for the pulse.
Step 5: You should feel the pulse rate.
The number of beats per minute is the pulse rate.If you want to double the number of beats for a solid estimate, you can either count for 30 seconds or 60 seconds.A resting pulse of between 60 and 100 beats per minute is considered normal for an adult.The pulse may be higher if the person was stressed out before or during the reading.A critical problem could be indicated by a high or low pulse rate.If a pulse is outside of the normal range, immediately seek medical help.
Step 6: The rhythm needs to be paid attention to.
A healthy pulse should have a regular rhythm.If you don't know what it feels like, check your pulse on your neck or wrist.The pulse should have the same rhythm.Immediate medical attention is required if the rhythm is off.
Step 7: Check the pulse of the pedis.
The popliteal pulse can be used to check for some of the same things.It might be difficult to find at first, but it is useful for assessing peripheral vascular disease or trauma.If you can't feel the popliteal pulse, look for a pulse in the blood vessels.You would feel a pulse with any other vessel.Run your index and middle finger from the person's big toe to the middle of their foot.After a little practice, you should be able to find it, even if it feels faint.If you can't feel the pulse, it could be a sign of a disease.
Step 8: Look for signs of illness.
Look at the patient's legs to see if there are any signs of problems such as wounds, blisters, or missing toes.Feel for warmth or coolness in the foot.Feelings of hot or cold can be used to indicate a problem.Critical medical problems that need immediate attention could be an indicator of these signs.
Step 9: Feel the strength of the arteries.
It shouldn't be hard to feel the popliteal arteries when you take the pulse.Let the doctor know if the arteries are hard or firm.