Importance of Vital Signs

The importance of vital signs lies in that are the main signs of life, hence its name. They are the first parameters that are looked for in people who have suffered an accident, trauma or a violent event to be able to determine if they are alive and have an appreciation of what their state of health may be.

vital signs are the main manifestations of the most important functions for life How are the operation of the respiratory system (breathing), the cardiovascular system (pulse and blood pressure) and the endogenous thermostat (temperature).

Changes in these parameters are signs that must be taken into account, since they are indicative of conditions that may be of gravity.
The absence of vital signs is the main characteristic of the death of an individual.

What are the vital signs?

Pulse. The pulse is a reflection of the frequency with which the heart beats in one minute. The normal value for the pulse is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Above this value we speak of tachycardia, while below it corresponds to bradycardia.

Breathing frequency. Respiratory rate is the number of times a full breath is taken in one minute. The normal value is 12 to 18 breaths. When a greater number occurs, we are in the presence of tachypnea, while when they occur below the normal limit, it corresponds to bradypnea.

Blood pressure. This parameter corresponds to the pressure that exists within the arteries. Blood pressure has two limits, an upper one called systolic blood pressure (whose normal value is 90 to 140 mm Hg) that depends on the volume of blood ejected by the heart with each beat, and diastolic blood pressure (normal value 60 – 90 mm Hg) which depends on the resistance of the wall of the arteries. When the pressure is above the normal value it is called hypertension, while when it is below it corresponds to hypotension.

Temperature. Temperature is a parameter that is kept within a narrow range -which oscillates between 38.5 °C and 37.3 °C- thanks to the interrelationship of various regulatory systems. The temperature level is maintained by the action of the hypothalamus, it is possible that in certain circumstances such as infections the "endogenous thermostat" varies the level of temperature originating its elevation that is known as hyperthermia or fever, when the temperature is below the normal value it is called hypothermia.

Normal variations of vital signs

vital signs show variations that are normal in relation to age and some physiological states.

In children it is common for the heart rate to be higher than that of adults, this value decreases as age increases.

Pulse and blood pressure also show changes in conditions such as exercise, where they normally rise. It is common that when returning to resting conditions, athletes have these values ​​close to the lower limits of normal which is a sign of the beneficial effect of exercise on the system cardiovascular.

Image: Fotolia. Georgie, Chombosan