MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Vital signs

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Vital signs

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Illustrations	Definition

Illustrations

Neck pulse

Definition Return to top

Vital signs include the heart beat, breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure. These signs may be watched, measured, and monitored to check an individual's level of physical functioning.

Normal vital signs change with age, sex, weight, exercise tolerance, and condition.

Normal ranges for the average healthy adult vital signs are:

Blood Pressure: 120/80 mm/Hg
Breathing: 12 - 18 breaths per minute
Pulse: 60 - 80 beats per minute (at rest)
Temperature: 97.8 - 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit / average 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit

Update Date: 2/23/2009

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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