Key Vital Sign Measurements
The four main vital signs include body temperature (97.8°F to 99.1°F), blood pressure 90/60mmHgto120/80mmHg, pulse (60 to 100 beats per minute), and respiratory rate (12 to 18 breaths per minute). When these numbers fall outside normal ranges, it might signal a health problem.
Medical professionals use special terms to describe abnormal vital signs. Hypertension means high blood pressure, while tachycardia refers to a rapid heartbeat (over 120 beats per minute). If you're breathing too fast, that's called tachypnea.
Doctors use specific tools and tests to measure vital signs. A sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) measures blood pressure, which has two numbers: systolic (when the heart contracts) and diastolic (when the heart relaxes). For serious concerns, they might order tests like a CBC (Complete Blood Count) or check troponin levels to see if you've had a heart attack.
Remember This: Blood pressure is written as two numbers—the top number (systolic) shows pressure when your heart beats, while the bottom number (diastolic) shows pressure when your heart rests between beats.