Vital signs are measurements of the bodys most basic functions and are an objective measurement of the essential physiological functions of a living organism. They are the critical first step for any clinical evaluation and are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems. The four main vital signs routinely monitored by medical professionals and health care providers include the following:

• Body temperature
• Pulse rate
• Respiration rate (rate of breathing)
• Blood pressure (Blood pressure is not considered a vital sign, but is often measured along with the vital signs.)

Vital signs can be measured in a medical setting, at home, at the site of a medical emergency, or elsewhere. Normal ranges for these signs vary by age, BMI, sex, and overall health. Pediatric vital signs aren’t the same as adult vital signs, and a healthcare provider will let you know if you need to monitor any of your vital signs.

Here are some more details about each of the four main vital signs:

• Body temperature: This is the measurement of the bodys internal temperature. The normal range for adults is 97.8°F to 99.1°F (36.5°C to 37.3°C), with an average of 98.6°F (37°C) .

• Pulse rate: This is the measurement of the heart rate, or the number of times the heart beats per minute. The normal pulse for healthy adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.

• Respiration rate: This is the measurement of the rate of breathing, or the number of breaths taken per minute. The normal range for adults is 12 to 18 breaths per minute.

• Blood pressure: This is the measurement of the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Two numbers are recorded when measuring blood pressure. The higher number, or systolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the arteries when the heart beats. The lower number, or diastolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. The normal range for blood pressure is between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg[[1]](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/vital-signs-body-temperature-pu...