Pulsometer

A pulsometer is a device used to measure pulse rate. Historically, pulsometers were mechanical instruments that displayed pulse in revolutions per minute, often integrated into watches. These devices typically utilized a chronograph mechanism that could be started and stopped to count heartbeats over a set period, with a calibrated dial translating the duration into a pulse reading.

The operation of a mechanical pulsometer involved starting the chronograph with the first pulse and stopping it with a predetermined number of subsequent pulses, usually 15 or 30. A hand on a specialized scale then indicated the corresponding pulse rate per minute. While complex and requiring careful timing by the user, these pulsometers offered a relatively accurate measurement for their time.

Modern pulse measurement is primarily done using electronic devices such as heart rate monitors, smartwatches, and pulse oximeters. These devices often employ optical sensors (photoplethysmography) to detect changes in blood volume in the fingertip or wrist with each heartbeat, converting these optical signals into a digital pulse rate display. Although the term "pulsometer" is less common now, the function of measuring pulse rate remains vital in medical and fitness contexts.