Cryptic crossword clue
One checks pulse or pulses after bad actor recoiled 17

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 17 letter word ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "One checks pulse" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one checks pulse = electrocardiogram.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does ELECTROCARDIOGRAM mean?

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM noun
  1. The visual output that an electrocardiograph produces.

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