During every visit to your doctor, your doctor initially checks your vital signs as they are the basic indicators of a body’s function. It is essential to understand the basics about these vital signs as they can be the preliminary step in detecting any medical problem.
What are vital signs ?
There are 4 vital signs which are routinely monitored by your doctors to check your body’s overall health are as follows.
- Pulse Rate
- Respiratory Rate
- Body Temperature
- Blood Pressure
The age, height, weight, exercise, and overall health affect Vital Signs. Four of the above mentioned vital signs are individually important hence it is important to learn some basics about the same.
What is pulse rate ?
Pulse Rate in simpler terms is the number of times your heart beats in a minute. The human heart is a muscular organ which is made of four chambers and blood gushes in and out of these chambers producing the heartbeat. The normal pulse rate may range from 60-100 beats per minute and is measured by checking the radial artery on the wrist, which is also called as the radial pulse. A pulse rate can be checked with the help of index and middle finger by keeping them on the radial artery. The technique also helps in measuring the rhythm of the heart (to check for any irregularities), the strength of the pulse (to check if its feeble), and to check the volume.
Pulse rates are different in infants, kids, adults, and old age and is affected also due to physiological changes. It is important to ask your doctor about the physiological and pathological changes in pulse rate.
What is respiratory rate ?
Respiratory Rate refers to the number of times an individual breathes in a minute. The Respiratory Rate is checked by a stethoscope in a healthcare facility by a doctor but can also be assessed by the number of times chest rises in a minute. The normal Respiratory Rate ranges between 12-16 breaths per minute but can change due to physiological changes and during disease. You can ask your treating doctor to explain you about the normal and abnormal variations in the Respiratory rate in health and disease.
What is body temperature ?
The normal human body temperature ranges between 97.8-degree F (Fahrenheit) to 99-degree F and can be measured with the help of a thermometer either orally, rectally, or axillary. Sometimes the temperature can also be checked by checking the temperature of the ear and the skin of the forehead and neck. Body temperature can be affected when one is affected with some disease. Reduction in body temperature is hypothermia and increase in body temperature is hyperthermia. Both above-mentioned changes in body temperature are associated with some underlying health problem, hence it is important to seek medical consultation when the body temperature fluctuates.
What is blood pressure ?
Blood Pressure as the name suggests is the pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls when it passes through them. Blood pressure is measured by its two components, one being the pressure inside the artery when the artery contracts and pumps the blood out or the systolic pressure and the pressure inside the artery when the blood fills in or the diastolic pressure. It is difficult to measure one’s own blood pressure and is measured by a trained professional or a healthcare personnel.
Blood Pressure is measured in mm Hg (mercury) and the systolic blood pressure is the higher number and the diastolic pressure is the lower reading. The normal range of blood pressure is 120 mm Hg of systolic blood pressure and 80 mm Hg of diastolic blood pressure. Anything above or below this range could be associated with a pathology. High blood pressure in adults is considered if the range is 140 mm Hg (systolic blood pressure) and 90 mm Hg (diastolic blood pressure). This is a normal guide for measuring blood pressure but it is not essential that it is indicative of disease.
Blood pressure is measured with the help of a manometer (aneroid monitor) or a digital monitor. The classic manometer consists of a monitor to monitor the rise of Hg levels and its correlation with the heart beat which is monitored with the help of a cuff around the arm and a stethoscope.
Increased blood pressure or hypertension is a chronic disease and is associated with many other health problems and hence it is important to have a basic idea about what blood pressure is and how it should be monitored.
People who are on medication for hypertension or hypertension should regularly monitor their blood pressure.
Why is it important to know about vital signs ?
Vital signs are the primary indicators of one’s well-being and state of health and a brief information and clarity on the same helps individuals in identifying a medical problem and assessing one’s overall health. Though one can monitor the vital signs at home it is important to learn to monitor them the right way, and ask your family physician to help you understand the basics about the same.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
