The importance of vital signs lies in that are the main signs of life, hence its name. They are the first parameters that are sought in people who have suffered an accident, trauma or a violent event in order 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 such as the functioning 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 serious.
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 (normal value is 90 to 140 mm Hg) that depends on the volume of blood that the heart expels with each beat, and diastolic blood pressure (normal value 60 – 90 mm Hg) that depends on the resistance of the arterial wall. 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 under certain circumstances such as infections, the “endogenous thermostat” varies the temperature level, causing its elevation, which is known as hyperthermia or fever, when the temperature is below the value normal 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 under 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 normality, which is a sign of the beneficial effect of exercise on the cardiovascular system.
Image: Fotolia. Georgie, Chombosan
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