If you ask the average woman for her “statistics”, she is likely to reel off a series of numbers that represent her bust, waist and hip measurements. Same thing would happen if you asked anyone for their weight. However if your question changed to what is your normal resting heart rate, or respiratory rate, many people would not be able to answer this question as readily.
And these are the numbers that really matter. It is always a good idea to know what your normal vital signs are so that if any of the numbers change, you will be quick to notice.
Every visit to the doctor, whether for a wellness checkup or an illness, begins with a nurse taking certain vital signs. This is a routine many of us are familiar with. In addition to obtaining your height and weight, the nurse will check your pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate. These measurements make up your vital signs and give a very basic view of your overall health. While you may be familiar with having these measurements taken, you may not have a clear understanding of what the normal results should be and the picture they present of your health. Hopefully reading this post further should help fix that.
Normal Resting Heart Rate
Your pulse (also known as heart) rate tells you how many times your heart beats per minute. To take your pulse and measure your heart rate, you can place your fingers on the pulse point of your wrist. This is on the side where your thumb is. Then, for 10 seconds, count the number of times you feel the blood vessels pulsing against your fingertips. Multiply this number by six to get the number of beats per minute (bpm). Or count for a full sixty seconds to get a more accurate reading and also check that the rhythm is regular. A normal resting heart rate falls in the range of 60 to 100 bpm.
Virtual image of human heart with cardiogram
Tachycardia
Tachycardia refers to a heartbeat that is faster than 100 bpm while at rest. This can happen as a result of simple increase in activity or it may be a sign that something is wrong and your body is trying to compensate. For example in patients with low iron levels, the heart has to work extra hard to carry oxygen to all the tissues and organs, hence it may cause a feeling of heart racing or irregular heartbeats. It may also lead to lightheadedness, dizziness, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Some conditions that may trigger tachycardia include heart disease, anemia, smoking, fever, electrolyte imbalances, and changes in blood pressure. If you notice that your heart is constantly beating faster than normal, even without exertion, see a doctor for tests to find out what may be causing this.
Bradycardia
Bradycardia refers to a heart rate that is too slow. In general, a heart rate of less than 60 bpm is considered low. Exceptions to this rule are athletes who have a low resting heart rate due to the heart-strengthening effects of exercise. According to the American Heart Association, conditions that may contribute to bradycardia include heart disease, thyroid disorders, and medication side effects. Symptoms of bradycardia may include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, fainting, and shortness of breath. This is because the heart is not beating fast enough to distribute much needed oxygen around the body.
If you check your heart rate normally, you would have an idea what your baseline is. So if you’re a really fit person and you know your heart rate is usually somewhere around 50 bpm, if you suddenly notice that your heart rate has gone up to 90 beats per minute, it may be a sign that something is wrong, even though 90bpm is still considered normal for the average person.
Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure values consist of two pressure readings. The first number, the systolic blood pressure, refers to the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. Meanwhile, the second number, the diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your blood vessels between beats. A normal blood pressure reading should be less than 120/80 mmHg.
Blood pressure that measures between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg is at risk for developing high blood pressure.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, measures at more than 140/90 mmHg.
However some people have White coat hypertension. This means that their blood pressure goes up as a result of anxiety associated with being in a hospital. For this reason the blood pressure has to be consistently high for three different reading taken on three separate occasions before a diagnosis of high blood pressure can be made.
Individuals who are at risk for hypertension may be able to prevent developing full-blown hypertension by making lifestyle changes to protect their hearts and lower their blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise, consuming a healthy diet, and giving up smoking are excellent ways to reduce your risk of hypertension.
Hypertension
A person with hypertension or high blood pressure has blood pressure readings of more than 140/90 mmHg. Many individuals have no symptoms associated with high blood pressure. Therefore, it is critical to see your doctor regularly to check your blood pressure. Risk factors for high blood pressure include obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, sleep apnea, excessive alcohol use, chronic kidney disease, and family history. If not detected in good time, uncontrolled hypertension can lead to conditions such as heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, organ failure, and dementia.
Hypotension
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is blood pressure lower than 90/60 mmHg. Postural hypotension may occur when a person goes quickly from sitting to standing, causing a drop in blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Sudden drops in blood pressure due to sepsis, excessive bleeding, fever, or dehydration can be life-threatening. In some cases, hypotension may be caused by blood pressure medications, antidepressants, seizure medications, or anti-anxiety drugs.
Respiratory Rate
Your respiratory rate is the number of breaths you take per minute. Most adults have a respiratory rate of between 12 and 20 breaths each minute. An increased respiratory rate may indicate stress or anxiety. Conditions that affect the lungs, such as asthma, pneumonia, and lung disease, may also cause an increased respiratory rate. Congestive heart failure can cause fluid to back up into the lungs, causing difficulty breathing and an increased respiratory rate.
Body Temperature
- You may have heard that the “normal” body temperature is 37°C. This number is only an average. Your body temperature may be slightly higher or lower.
- A body temperature reading that’s above or below the average doesn’t automatically mean you’re sick. A number of factors can influence your body temperature, including your age, sex, time of day, and activity level.
- The average body temperatures based on age are estimated as:
- Babies and children. In babies and children, the average body temperature ranges from 36.6°C to 37.2°C.
- Adults. Among adults, the average body temperature ranges from 36.1°C to 37.2°C.
- Adults over age 65. In older adults, the average body temperature is lower than 36.2°C.
Not many people have thermometers at home to check the exact reading, but if you notice your skin feels warm to touch, then it is a good idea to at least visit a health centre to get your temperature checked. If you have a baby or young child, please keep a thermometer at home because high fevers in babies could lead to seizures and that is not a very pleasant experience.
Now that you know what these numbers mean, hopefully you pay more attention at your next hospital/clinic visit and take note of what your important numbers are.
