A pulse data detecting apparatus, pulse data detecting method, and pulse data detection program are provided capable of suppressing an influence of the condition of the body surface to be measured and obtaining an appropriate measurement result under a wide range of conditions. In the present invention, a blood-flow-suppressing-projection protrusion-control mechanism section causes a blood-flow-suppressing projection to protrude to press or compress the body surface to suppress a blood flow on a downstream side, thereby increasing a blood pressure of a measurement region at the time of measurement. A light-receiving element receives reflected light of light applied from a light-emitting element to a skin surface, and outputs an electrical signal. Increasing the blood pressure of the measurement region enables to obtain an output signal at a sufficient output level from the light-receiving element. A CPU calculates a pulse rate based on the output signal from the light-receiving element.