The first few minutes of a checkup often look the same. Someone wraps a cuff around your arm, presses two fingers to your wrist or clips a small device on your finger, and writes down a few numbers. Those numbers are your vital signs, and they give your provider a quick snapshot of how your body is functioning before the rest of the visit begins.
This guide explains what vitals are, which ones are commonly checked, what ranges are considered typical for healthy adults, and how you can help your readings be accurate. It is general information, not medical advice, and only your provider can interpret your own numbers.
What are vital signs?
MedlinePlus, the consumer health service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, says vital signs reflect essential body functions, including heartbeat rate, breathing rate, temperature and blood pressure. A provider may measure or monitor them to check your level of physical functioning.
Two points are worth remembering. First, "normal" is a range, not a single number. Normal vital signs change with age, sex, weight, exercise capability and overall health. Second, blood pressure normally varies through the day, so a single reading is only a snapshot.
The four core vitals
1. Blood pressure
MedlinePlus describes blood pressure as the force your blood puts on artery walls as your heart pumps it around your body. It is written as two numbers, such as 120/80 mm Hg. The top number is systolic pressure and the bottom is diastolic pressure.
For a healthy adult at rest, MedlinePlus gives a typical range of 90/60 to 120/80 mm Hg. In its guidance on blood pressure measurement, MedlinePlus describes categories like these:
- Normal: systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80.
- Elevated: systolic 120 to 129 and diastolic below 80.
- Stage 1 high blood pressure: 130/80 or higher but lower than 140/90.
- Stage 2 high blood pressure: 140/90 or higher.
Blood pressure matters at a routine visit because high blood pressure usually has no symptoms. It is often discovered during a visit for another reason, such as a routine physical exam, and finding and treating it early can help prevent heart disease, stroke, eye problems or chronic kidney disease.
How often you should have it checked depends on your age and risk. MedlinePlus says adults 40 and older should have a check once a year, as should people at increased risk, while adults 18 to 39 with a reading below 120/80 and no other risk factors can be checked every 3 to 5 years. Your provider may recommend more frequent checks.
2. Pulse (heart rate)
Your pulse is the number of heartbeats per minute. It can be felt at several places on the body, such as the wrist or the neck. It can be counted by hand, and a pulse oximeter clipped to your finger also gives a heart rate readout.
For adults, MedlinePlus lists a typical resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. Well-trained athletes may be lower, in the range of 40 to 60. To get a true resting rate, you need to have been resting for at least 10 minutes.
A pulse that is continually higher or lower than expected is worth discussing with a provider. MedlinePlus notes that a fast pulse may signal an infection or dehydration, but a single number cannot tell you why it is high, so avoid drawing conclusions on your own.
3. Breathing (respiratory rate)
Respiratory rate is how many breaths you take per minute. MedlinePlus lists 12 to 18 breaths per minute as the typical range for a healthy adult at rest. Ask your provider if you would like to know how it was measured at your visit.
4. Temperature
Body temperature is the fourth vital sign on MedlinePlus's list. MedlinePlus gives a typical adult range of 97.7 to 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit (36.5 to 37.3 degrees Celsius), with an average of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).
Other measurements you may see
Depending on the clinic and the reason for your visit, the intake may include more than the four core vitals. Additions may include:
- Height and weight, sometimes with BMI. Body mass index estimates how much you should weigh for your height. MedlinePlus lists 18.5 to 24.9 as the "healthy" category for adults, and notes that BMI is not a perfect measure for everyone, for example people with more or less muscle than is typical.
- Blood oxygen (pulse oximetry). MedlinePlus says your provider may give you this painless test as part of a routine checkup, and says you may also get it if you have a condition that affects your lung function.
If you are curious about what will be included at your visit, ask when you book.
How to help your readings be accurate
Blood pressure in particular can be affected by what you did shortly before it is taken. MedlinePlus's blood pressure guidance suggests:
- Do not have the reading taken when you are under stress, have had a meal, caffeine or tobacco in the past 30 minutes, or have exercised recently.
- Empty your bladder beforehand.
- Rest quietly for at least 5 minutes, and 10 is better.
- Sit with your back supported, feet flat on the floor and legs uncrossed, with your arm supported at heart level.
- Expect a repeat reading. MedlinePlus says the measurement should be done two or more times.
For pulse, rest for at least 10 minutes before a resting heart rate is taken.
If you tend to feel nervous at the doctor's office, tell the nurse. MedlinePlus describes "white coat hypertension," where readings are higher in a medical setting than at home, and notes that home readings are usually a better measure of your current blood pressure than office readings. If you check at home, MedlinePlus suggests making sure your home monitor is accurate and asking your provider to compare your home readings with those taken in the office. MedlinePlus describes one common approach as taking readings before breakfast and dinner for 5 days, which gives at least 10 readings.
What the rest of the visit does with these numbers
Vitals are a starting point, not a diagnosis. MedlinePlus explains that the purpose of regular checkups is to screen for disease, assess and help reduce the risk of future medical problems, encourage a healthy lifestyle, update vaccinations and keep up a relationship with a provider. MedlinePlus also notes that the screenings you need depend on factors such as your age, sex, overall health, family health history and risks for certain diseases, so your provider looks at more than your vitals.
Questions to ask about your own vitals
- What were my numbers today, and how do they compare with last time?
- Is any reading outside the range you expect for me?
- Should I check my blood pressure at home, and how often?
- How often should my blood pressure be checked from here?
- Is there anything about my medicines, caffeine or sleep that could be affecting these readings?
Key takeaways
- The four core vital signs are blood pressure, pulse, breathing rate and temperature.
- Typical resting ranges for healthy adults are broad, and your own normal may differ.
- Resting, sitting properly and avoiding caffeine and recent exercise help produce accurate readings.
- Blood pressure varies through the day, so a single reading is only a snapshot.
- Always discuss unusual readings with a health care provider rather than interpreting them alone.
This article offers general health information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have symptoms that worry you, contact a health care provider or emergency services.
Sources
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Vital signs. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002341.htm
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Blood pressure measurement. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007490.htm
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Pulse. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003399.htm
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Body mass index. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007196.htm
- MedlinePlus: Pulse Oximetry. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/pulse-oximetry/
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Physical exam frequency. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002125.htm
- MedlinePlus: Health Checkup (topic page). https://medlineplus.gov/healthcheckup.html