Vitals
Vitals
Vitals (pronunciation: /ˈvʌɪt(ə)lz/) are the basic body functions that are necessary for life. They are often measured in a medical context to assess the general physical health of a person, give clues to possible diseases, and show progress toward recovery. The main vitals are body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
Etymology
The term "vitals" comes from the Latin word "vitalis," which means "pertaining to life." It is used in the medical field to refer to the essential body functions that are necessary for life.
Body Temperature
Body temperature is a measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a safe range, even when temperatures outside the body change a lot. A normal body temperature for a healthy adult is typically around 98.6°F (37°C).
Pulse Rate
The pulse rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. A normal pulse for healthy adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (BPM). However, a lower pulse rate can be normal for people who are physically fit and athletes often have a resting heart rate of 40 to 60 BPM.
Respiration Rate
Respiration rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute. The rate is usually measured when a person is at rest and simply involves counting the number of breaths for one minute by counting how many times the chest rises. A normal respiration rate for an adult at rest is 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood out to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, to stroke, kidney disease, and to heart failure.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vitals
- Wikipedia's article - Vitals
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