I've had the nurse do it in the doctor's office twice in the past month, and my pa's PT has a finger thing that I ask if she can check my pulse when she's around (every other day). My phone also has a heart rate monitor but I've only used it twice because it takes forever and I'm not confident in it's accuracy. They've also checked my breathing and I'm getting enough oxygen in as well.
I don't smoke, drink anything with caffeine, and most of these readings were just me sitting and as relaxed as I get.