Vital signs Health Article

Licensed from

Table of Contents

Definition

Reviewer Info: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. ; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 02/23/2009

Definition

Vital signs include the heart beat, breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure. These signs may be watched, measured, and monitored to check an individual's level of physical functioning.

Normal vital signs change with age, sex, weight, exercise tolerance, and condition.

Normal ranges for the average healthy adult vital signs are:

Blood Pressure: 120/80 mm/Hg
Breathing: 12 - 18 breaths per minute
Pulse: 60 - 80 beats per minute (at rest)
Temperature: 97.8 - 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit / average 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit

images (1)

Neck pulse

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.