One complete cycle of rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart is called a heartbeat. It results in the pumping of blood throughout the body. The heart beats for about 60 to 100 times in a minute.

A stethoscope is a medical instrument used by the doctor to listen to our heartbeats as it helps in magnifying the sound. The heartbeat can be heard as a 'lub' and 'dub' sound. Lub is produced when the atrioventricular valves close. Dub is produced when the semilunar valves close.

Pulse is the wave of distension on the walls of the artery, each time blood is forced into it. It is in a rhythmic pattern. The pulse is equal to the heart rate or the number of times your heart beats in one minute.