Vital Sign

Vital Sign

         When you go to the hospital, the nurse will weigh and measure blood pressure, right? Do you know what it's called in medical terminology? It is called Vital Sign. It is for providing information to the doctor about your basic health information.

There are 4 main Vital Signs.

• Measure body temperature (If patients do not have fever, they may not be measured): The normal body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius; it is allowed not to exceed 37.5. If it exceeds, there is a fever.
• Measure blood pressure: blood pressure is the pressure that the heart has to pump blood. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. For a good health, it is 110/70.

Which is more dangerous between high blood pressure and low blood pressure? If it is too high or low blood pressure, both are all dangerous. However, high blood pressure is more dangerous because high blood pressure may not show a headache symptom. Long-term abnormal blood pressure causes negative effects on the brain, heart, and kidneys. Abnormalities can be found and treated by blood pressure monitoring before major problems occur such as kidney failure or stroke. If there is a free health check, you can ask for a blood pressure measurement.

• Measure pulse/heart rate: normal heart rate is about 70-80 beats/minute in adults.
• Measure respiratory rate: normal respiratory rate should be 20 to 26 beats per minute in adults.
• Measure waist circumference: The cardiologist will always do this because it shows the risk of heart disease (abdominal obesity). The normal waist circumference is not exceed 90 cm in men and not exceed 80 cm in women.

 So, have you ever measured your blood pressure yet? How much is your waist circumference?