Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBody TemperatureRespiration RatePulse (Heart Rate)Blood PressureOxygen Saturation
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Body Temperature
Respiration Rate
Pulse (Heart Rate)
Blood Pressure
Oxygen Saturation
Vital signs are measurements of the body’s most basic functions—body temperature, rate of respiration (breathing), pulse rate,blood pressure, and oxygen saturation (amount of oxygen circulating in the blood). Medical professionals use these five measurements to assess one’s general health, detect and monitor medical conditions, and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Compared to high-tech medical tests, measuring a person’s vital signs is relatively simple, requiring some basic medical equipment—a thermometer,stethoscope, blood pressure cuff—and a stopwatch or other timing device. The information obtained can, in some cases, be a matter of life and death, or at least sickness and health.
Although factors such as age, sex, weight, and activity level can play a role in what an individual’s vital signs might indicate, there is agreement across the medical community about what’s normal for adults in general.
Body temperaturecan vary throughout the day, even for a person who is healthy. Typically, it’s lowest upon awakening and higher later in the day.
Measuring Body Temperature
The readings can vary depending on which one of these sites is used.
The Forehead FallacyLaying a palm against someone’s forehead may give an indication that their body temperature is higher than normal, but it is not a trusted method of determining fever or illness. Forehead thermometers are more accurate than ear thermometers and their accuracy is similar to probe thermometers.
The Forehead Fallacy
Laying a palm against someone’s forehead may give an indication that their body temperature is higher than normal, but it is not a trusted method of determining fever or illness. Forehead thermometers are more accurate than ear thermometers and their accuracy is similar to probe thermometers.
How to Properly Use a Thermometer
Health Implications of Abnormal Body Temperature
Other potential causes of fever in adults include:
A temperature reading below 95 F can be an indication the body is losing heat more quickly than it is able to produce it—a medical emergency known ashypothermiain which the heart, brain, nervous system, and other organs can’t work normally.
If left untreated, hypothermia can lead to complete failure of the heart and respiratory system, and eventually to death.
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Respiration raterefers to the number of breaths taken per minute while at rest. It’s one of the easiest vital signs to measure, as you only need a clock or timer.
Measuring Respiration Rate
To determine your respiration rate, set a timer for one minute and count the number of times your chest rises and falls until the timer goes off. It may be helpful to enlist a loved one or care provider to help you measure your respiration, as observing your own breath may cause you to breathe more slowly than you naturally would, leading to an inaccurate result.
The normal number of breaths per minute for an adult at rest is 12 to 18.
Health Implications of Abnormal Respiration Rate
A respiration rate that’s slower than normal (bradypnea) or that’s fast and shallow (tachypnea) is an indication of potential health problems.
The normal resting pulse for a healthy adult ranges from 60 beats per minute to 100 beats per minute, although there can be variations—notably among athletes.Those who do a lot of cardiovascular training may have a resting pulse as low as 40 beats per minute because their hearts are strong enough to pump a greater-than-normal amount of blood per beat.
Measuring Pulse
A pulse can be felt most easily on the side of the neck, the inside of the wrist (the radial pulse), and the inner thigh (femoral pulse)—areas where arteries are located close to the surface of the skin.
To take your pulse at the wrist, you will need a watch with a second hand:
The pulse rate also can be measured at the neck, but it’s important to not press on the pulses on both sides of the lower neck; doing so could risk blocking blood flow to the brain.
How to Take Someone’s Pulse
Health Implications of Abnormal Pulse
Besides counting when checking someone’s pulse, it’s important to pay attention tohow strongor weak the pulse is and how steady, or regular, it is. The speed, strength, and rhythm of the pulse can reveal a lot about the health of the heart, as well as point to signs of diseases or conditions that may affect how the heart functions.
A slow pulse (bradycardia) can indicate:
A rapid pulse (tachycardia) can indicate:
Blood pressure refers to the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries every time the heart beats. Blood pressure readings containtwo numbers(e.g., 120/80 millimeters of mercury, or mmHg):
Measuring Blood Pressure
An instrument called asphygmomanometeris used to measure blood pressure. It consists of a cuff that is placed around the upper arm and a small pump that fills the cuff with air, squeezing the arm until the circulation is cut off.
At this point, a small valve opens to allow air to slowly leak out of the cuff. As it deflates, the medical professional will hold a stethoscope against the inside of the elbow to listen for the sound of blood pulsing through the arteries.
The first sound will be the systolic pressure; the second is the diastolic pressure. A meter that’s part of the sphygmomanometer indicates the specific numbers that correspond to each.
How to Get an Accurate Blood Pressure Reading
Whether checking your blood pressure at a healthcare facility or measuring it at home, take these steps to get a more accurate reading:
Health Implications of Abnormal Blood Pressure
Blood pressure readings that are either higher than normal or lower than normal may indicate certain health problems.
The American Heart Association recognizes the following categories of blood pressure readings that are higher than normal (hypertension):
CategoryBlood Pressure ReadingElevated BPReadings that consistently range from 120 mmHg to 129 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolicHypertension stage 1Readings that consistently range from 130 mmHg to 139 mmHg systolic or 80 mmHg to 89 mmHg diastolicHypertension stage 2Readings that consistently are 140/90 mmHg or higherHypertensive crisisA reading that suddenly exceeds 180 mmHg systolic and/or 120 mmHg diastolic and remains high when measured a second time after five minutes:This stage of high blood pressure requires immediate medical attention.There are hereditary and physical risk factors for high blood pressure, including:Sedentary lifestyleObesityDiabetesChronic kidney disease (CKD)Family historyGetting olderGender: Men are more likely to get high blood pressure than women up to age 64. At 65 and older, women are more likely to get high blood pressure.Race: Black people tend to develop high blood pressure more often than people of any other racial background in the United States.When blood pressure is lower than normal (hypotension), it means the heart can no longer deliver an adequate supply of blood to the body. This can occur because of an underlying health condition such as anemia, a heart problem, or an infection. Dehydration or certain medications also can cause a drop in blood pressure.Chronically low (or even borderline low) blood pressure can have an adverse effect on the kidneys. In rare instances, a dramatic drop can lead tosyncope(fainting), shock, coma, and even death.When High Blood Pressure Is an EmergencyOxygen SaturationOxygen saturation is the amount of oxygen in your blood. Oxygen travels through the bloodstream to the body’s organs and tissues and is critical for them to work properly,For most healthy adults, a normal oxygen saturation level is between 95% and 100%.Measuring Oxygen SaturationYou can check your oxygen saturation rate at home with a device called a pulse oximeter. This device uses a light source that passes through the finger and a sensor is able to calculate the oxygen in the red blood cells.To use a pulse oximeter, you insert your finger into the device. You will feel a slight pressure, but it doesn’t cause pain. Most devices beep or stop flashing when the measurement is complete.Health Implications of Low Oxygen SaturationThere are many conditions that can cause low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia), including:AsthmaChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)BronchiectasisCystic fibrosisInterstitial lung diseases (ILDs)Pulmonary hypertensionAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung)A collapsed lungPulmonary edema (fluid in the lung)High altitudesMedications that lower breathing rate, like some narcotics and anestheticsPneumoniaBronchitisPulmonary fibrosis (scarring in the lungs)Sleep apneaWarning signs of a low oxygen level include trouble breathing, confusion, difficulty waking up, and bluish lips or face.If your oxygen saturation is less than 95%, you should talk to your healthcare provider. An oxygen saturation of 90% or less is considered a medical emergency requiring medical help right away.
There are hereditary and physical risk factors for high blood pressure, including:
When blood pressure is lower than normal (hypotension), it means the heart can no longer deliver an adequate supply of blood to the body. This can occur because of an underlying health condition such as anemia, a heart problem, or an infection. Dehydration or certain medications also can cause a drop in blood pressure.
Chronically low (or even borderline low) blood pressure can have an adverse effect on the kidneys. In rare instances, a dramatic drop can lead tosyncope(fainting), shock, coma, and even death.
When High Blood Pressure Is an Emergency
Oxygen saturation is the amount of oxygen in your blood. Oxygen travels through the bloodstream to the body’s organs and tissues and is critical for them to work properly,
For most healthy adults, a normal oxygen saturation level is between 95% and 100%.
Measuring Oxygen Saturation
You can check your oxygen saturation rate at home with a device called a pulse oximeter. This device uses a light source that passes through the finger and a sensor is able to calculate the oxygen in the red blood cells.
To use a pulse oximeter, you insert your finger into the device. You will feel a slight pressure, but it doesn’t cause pain. Most devices beep or stop flashing when the measurement is complete.
Health Implications of Low Oxygen Saturation
There are many conditions that can cause low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia), including:
Warning signs of a low oxygen level include trouble breathing, confusion, difficulty waking up, and bluish lips or face.If your oxygen saturation is less than 95%, you should talk to your healthcare provider. An oxygen saturation of 90% or less is considered a medical emergency requiring medical help right away.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Vital signs.MedlinePlus.Temperature measurement.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing hypothermia.MedlinePlus.Breathing—slowed or stopped.American Heart Association.All about heart rate (pulse).MedlinePlus.Arrhythmias.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measure your blood pressure.American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About high blood pressure.American Heart Association.Know your risk factors for high blood pressure.American Lung Association.Pulse oximetry.National Library of Medicine StatPearls.Hypoxia.Sarkar M, Niranjan N, Banyal PK.Mechanisms of hypoxemia[published correction appears in Lung India. 2017 Mar-Apr;34(2):220].Lung India. 2017;34(1):47-60. doi:10.4103/0970-2113.197116Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The basics of oxygen monitoring and oxygen therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.Additional ReadingJohns Hopkins Medicine.Vital signs (body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure).
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Vital signs.MedlinePlus.Temperature measurement.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing hypothermia.MedlinePlus.Breathing—slowed or stopped.American Heart Association.All about heart rate (pulse).MedlinePlus.Arrhythmias.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measure your blood pressure.American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About high blood pressure.American Heart Association.Know your risk factors for high blood pressure.American Lung Association.Pulse oximetry.National Library of Medicine StatPearls.Hypoxia.Sarkar M, Niranjan N, Banyal PK.Mechanisms of hypoxemia[published correction appears in Lung India. 2017 Mar-Apr;34(2):220].Lung India. 2017;34(1):47-60. doi:10.4103/0970-2113.197116Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The basics of oxygen monitoring and oxygen therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.Additional ReadingJohns Hopkins Medicine.Vital signs (body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Vital signs.MedlinePlus.Temperature measurement.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing hypothermia.MedlinePlus.Breathing—slowed or stopped.American Heart Association.All about heart rate (pulse).MedlinePlus.Arrhythmias.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measure your blood pressure.American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About high blood pressure.American Heart Association.Know your risk factors for high blood pressure.American Lung Association.Pulse oximetry.National Library of Medicine StatPearls.Hypoxia.Sarkar M, Niranjan N, Banyal PK.Mechanisms of hypoxemia[published correction appears in Lung India. 2017 Mar-Apr;34(2):220].Lung India. 2017;34(1):47-60. doi:10.4103/0970-2113.197116Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The basics of oxygen monitoring and oxygen therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MedlinePlus.Vital signs.
MedlinePlus.Temperature measurement.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing hypothermia.
MedlinePlus.Breathing—slowed or stopped.
American Heart Association.All about heart rate (pulse).
MedlinePlus.Arrhythmias.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measure your blood pressure.
American Heart Association.Understanding blood pressure readings.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About high blood pressure.
American Heart Association.Know your risk factors for high blood pressure.
American Lung Association.Pulse oximetry.
National Library of Medicine StatPearls.Hypoxia.
Sarkar M, Niranjan N, Banyal PK.Mechanisms of hypoxemia[published correction appears in Lung India. 2017 Mar-Apr;34(2):220].Lung India. 2017;34(1):47-60. doi:10.4103/0970-2113.197116
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The basics of oxygen monitoring and oxygen therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vital signs (body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure).
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