Final answer:
Feeling your pulse allows you to measure the heart rate, which is the number of heartbeats per minute. If you count your pulse for 10 seconds and multiply that number by 6, it should closely approximate your pulse measurement over one minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you feel your pulse, you are feeling the heartbeat as it causes the arteries to expand and then recoil. When you measure your pulse for 10 seconds and then for 1 minute, you should notice a factor of 6 difference because there are 60 seconds in a minute. If you count the number of beats in 10 seconds and multiply by 6, you should get a number close to the total beats per minute. This number represents your heart rate.
Pulse measures the strength of ventricular contraction and cardiac output. Systolic pressure, which is a component of blood pressure, is directly linked to the strength of the pulse. High or irregular pulse rates can indicate temporary conditions or possible heart conditions.