Vital signs

Vital signs are measurements of body functions such as blood pressure and temperature. They change when you exercise, sleep, or are sick. They can change when you are stressed or are relaxed. And what's healthy for you depends on your age and your health.

Normal vital signs for healthy adults at rest include the following:

Heart rate

This is measured in beats per minute (bpm). It goes up when you are active. Some healthy people have a heart rate higher or lower than the expected range.

• 60 to 100 bpm

Respiration (breaths)

This is measured in breaths per minute. It goes up with exercise and may go down when you sleep.

• 12 to 20 breaths per minute

Blood oxygen saturation

This is measured as a percentage of oxygen in the blood. It may be lower in places that are at high altitude. And it may vary if you have certain health problems, such as COPD.

• 96% to 100%

Blood pressure (systolic/diastolic)

A blood pressure reading measures the force of blood against the walls of an artery. It includes two numbers. Systolic blood pressure is the upper number (110/70). It is a measure of blood pressure when the heart is contracting or pumping blood out to the rest of the body. Diastolic blood pressure is the lower number (110/70). It is the pressure of blood against the artery walls between contractions of the heart. These measurements are shown in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Blood pressure goes up and down during the day. It will usually go up when you are active, and it will come down when you've been resting for a few minutes. Your doctor can tell you what's a healthy blood pressure for you. In general, normal blood pressure ranges are:

• 90/60 mm Hg to 119/79 mm Hg

Temperature

This is measured in degrees Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C).

• Most people have an average body temperature of about 98.6°F (37°C). But it can vary a little bit and still be considered normal.