MODEL RELEASED. Pulse measurement. General practice doctor measuring a patient's pulse rate. The doctor's fingers are lightly placed over the blood vessels in the patient's wrist. Each heartbeat propels a pulse of blood through the blood vessels. The number of heartbeats per minute (normally between 60 and 80 at rest) gives an indication of general health. Abnormally high or low rates can indicate a disease of the heart or vascular system.