Vital Signs

Vital signs measure the basic functions of your body. They include your body temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiratory (breathing) rate. Normal ranges for these signs vary by age, BMI and other factors. Pediatric vital signs aren’t the same as adult vital signs. A healthcare provider will let you know if you need to monitor any of your vital signs.

What are vital signs?

Vital signs measure your body’s basic functions. The measurements check your general physical health. They’re the first step of any medical exam or evaluation. Vital signs are important because they give a healthcare provider clues about any underlying conditions that affect your health or show your progress toward recovery.

There are four main vital signs:

Body temperature.

Blood pressure.

Pulse (heart rate).

Respiratory rate (breathing rate).

Oxygen saturation (the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood)

What are normal vital signs?

Normal vital signs vary based on your age, BMI, sex and overall health.

Vital sign Adults

Temperature	97.8 F to 99.1 F (36.5 C to 37.3 C).
Blood pressure	90/60 mm Hg to 120/80 mm Hg.
Pulse	60 to 100 beats per minute.
Respiratory rate	12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Oxygen saturation	95-99% (SaO2) - 73% (SvO2)

What is body temperature?

Body temperature is the expected temperature of the human body. You may notice your body temperature change when you exercise or when you’re feeling ill.

The average body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), but the normal temperature for a healthy person can range between 97.8 F to 99.1 F (36.55 C to 37.27) or slightly higher.

A temperature higher than 100.4 F (38 C) is classified as a fever. A drop in body temperature below 95 F (35 C) is hypothermia.

How do I check my body temperature?

You can measure your body temperature at home by using a thermometer:

If using a temporal thermometer, place it hovering just in front of your forehead. When using a traditional thermometer, insert the tip of the thermometer into your mouth or rectum or place it under your armpit.

After a few seconds, remove the thermometer and read the temperature. Follow the instructions that came with your thermometer to get an accurate reading.

Wash and sanitize your thermometer after each use.

A healthcare provider can also measure your body temperature using a special thermometer inserted into your ear canal.

What affects my body temperature?

Factors that can affect your body temperature include:

Being in a hot or cold environment.

Exercise.

Eating hot or cold foods and beverages.

Strong emotions.

Medical conditions that can cause your body temperature to change include:

Stress.

Infection.

Hypothyroidism.

Dehydration.

Sunburn.

Rheumatoid arthritis.

Hormonal changes.

As you age, your body isn’t able to regulate your body temperature as well as it should. That’s why you may note more frequent temperature changes if you’re 65 or older.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure or force of blood against the walls of your arteries.

Blood pressure is written as two numbers.

Systolic pressure is the first number. It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and pushes blood out to your body.

Diastolic pressure is the second number. It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.

Healthy blood pressure for an adult, relaxed at rest, is less than 120/80 mm Hg.

How do I check my blood pressure at home?

You can check your blood pressure at home by using a manual or digital blood pressure monitor (sphygmomanometer).

To take an accurate blood pressure reading, you should:

Find a quiet place to relax, sit down and place the blood pressure cuff around your arm.

Inflate the cuff by following the instructions.

Read the gauge on the cuff and write down the measurement.

Some drug stores or pharmacies offer an electronic blood pressure reading. Be aware that these aren’t considered accurate measurements of your blood pressure.

What is a high blood pressure measurement?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher. A systolic pressure of 130-139 or a diastolic pressure of 80-89 is considered high blood pressure stage 1.

Systolic pressure greater than 140 and a diastolic pressure greater than 90 is considered high blood pressure stage 2. Your healthcare provider will discuss with you various treatment options based on your individual health.

A systolic pressure greater than 180 and a diastolic pressure greater than 90 is considered a hypertensive crisis and you should consult your healthcare provider immediately.

Blood pressure that remains high for an extended time, for example, longer than a few years, can cause health issues, including:

Atherosclerosis (hardening of your arteries).

Heart failure.

Stroke.

What is a low blood pressure measurement?

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is a reading of 90/60 mm Hg or lower. This can be normal for some people and not a cause for concern. However, low blood pressure can cause symptoms of an underlying health condition. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a low blood pressure reading and experience:

Dizziness.

Fainting.

Nausea.

Cold sweats.

Blurred vision.

What can affect my blood pressure?

Factors that can affect your blood pressure reading include, but aren’t limited to:

Caffeine or beverages containing alcohol.

Certain medications.

Weight loss or weight gain.

Cold temperatures.

Exercise.

A full bladder.

A full stomach.

The amount of salt in your diet.

Smoking.

Stress.

If you’re measuring your blood pressure, remember these factors when reading your results. If someone else is taking your blood pressure, tell them about any factors that may affect your measurement.

What is a pulse?

Your pulse is the number of times your heart beats per minute. A normal pulse rate for a healthy adult at rest ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). Pulse rates vary from person to person. Females tend to have faster pulse rates than males.

Your pulse is lower when you’re at rest and higher when you exercise. This happens because your body needs more oxygen-rich blood when you exercise.

Keep in mind the following:

Talk to a provider if your pulse rate is routinely less than 60 beats per minute or more than 100 beats per minute.

Each beat should be equally spaced out.

Beats shouldn’t be excessively strong. This could indicate that your heart is working hard.

Your heart shouldn’t skip a beat.

How do I check my pulse?

You can measure your pulse by firmly, but gently, pressing your first and second fingertips against certain points on the body — most commonly at your wrist or neck. Use your watch and count the number of heartbeats you have in 60 seconds. The result is your pulse or heart rate.

What can affect my pulse?

Factors that can affect your pulse include:

Exercise.

Stress.

Strong emotions.

Caffeine.

Health conditions that can affect your pulse may include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

An infection.

Dehydration.

Stress.

Anxiety.

Thyroid conditions.

Anemia.

Shock.

Arrhythmia.

Some medications, especially beta-blockers and digoxin, can slow your pulse.

What is a respiratory rate?

Your respiratory rate, or your breathing rate, is the number of breaths you take per minute. The normal respiratory rate for an adult at rest is 12 to 18 breaths per minute. A respiration rate under 12 or over 25 breaths per minute while resting may be a sign of an underlying health condition.

How do I check my respiratory rate?

You can check your respiratory rate by:

Finding a quiet location to sit down and relax.

Use your watch and count how many breaths you take in 60 seconds.

It can be difficult to count your own breaths, especially if you’re nervous or anxious. You can ask a friend or family member to help you check your respiratory rate. They’ll be able to see your chest rising and falling with each breath to get an accurate measurement.

What conditions affect my respiratory rate?

Health conditions that can affect your respiratory rate include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

Asthma.

Anxiety.

Pneumonia.

Heart disease.

Lung disease.

Substance use disorder.

What is oxygen saturation?

Oxygen saturation is the amount of oxygen in your blood. Because the body’s organs and tissues need oxygen to work, oxygen must travel through the bloodstream to help support the functions of the body.
For most healthy adults, a normal oxygen saturation level is between 95% and 100%. Anything below 95% means your body isn’t receiving enough oxygen and needs medical attention.
You can check your oxygen saturation rate at home with a device called a pulse oximeter. You can purchase a pulse oximeter at most stores that carry health-related items.
To use, simply insert your fingertip into the small device. You will feel a slight pressure, but it does not squeeze your fingertip or cause pain. Most devices will beep or stop flashing when the reading is complete.
If you have any questions, you can talk with a healthcare professional about how to use your pulse oximeter and understand the readings.
Some factors can affect accuracy, such as:

darker skin tones

nail polish

cold fingers

How do I check my Oxygen Saturation?

Pulse oximetry is a test used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) of the blood. It's an easy, painless measure of how well oxygen is being sent to parts of your body furthest from your heart, such as the arms and legs.

A clip-like device called a probe is placed on a body part, such as a finger or ear lobe. The probe uses light to measure how much oxygen is in the blood. This information helps the healthcare provider decide if a person needs extra oxygen.

What conditions affect my Oxygen Saturation?

The medical term for low blood oxygen is hypoxemia. It may happen due to:

Heart attack

Heart failure

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Anemia

Lung cancer

Asthma

Pneumonia

insufficient oxygen in the air

an inability of the lungs to inhale and send oxygen to all cells and tissues

an inability of the bloodstream to circulate to the lungs, collect oxygen, and transport it around the body

One Final Note..

Vital signs are important indicators of your overall health. Checking your vitals is the first step toward finding out what’s going on in your body. Vital signs let your care team know if you’re having a medical emergency or if there’s an underlying medical condition affecting your well-being.

A healthcare provider will let you know if you need to check your vital signs at home regularly. Children usually don’t need their vitals checked outside of pediatric appointments. If your vital signs are abnormal or you have a question about how to take your vital signs, talk with a healthcare provider.

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