Your body by numbers
By MELISSA NANN BURKE
For Smart
Vital signs provide a good measure of basic body functions. The primary four vital signs include pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature and respiratory rate. Here’s a look at what numbers are average for a healthy 30- to 34-year-old.
60 TO 80 BEATS PER MINUTE
Pulse rate: The heart beats about
60 to 80 times a minute when at rest. Resting heart rate usually rises with age. It’s generally lower in physically fit people.
To check your pulse rate, place the first two fingers of your right hand along the outer edge of your left wrist just below where your wrist and thumb meet. Slide your fingers toward the center of your wrist. You should feel the pulse between the wrist bone and the tendon. Count the number of pulses in 10 seconds and then multiply by six. If you get 20 beats in 10 seconds, then your pulse is 120.
122/81
Blood pressure: This test measures the pressure of blood flow on the heart and blood vessels. Systolic pressure is the top number in the blood-pressure ratio. It’s always higher than the diastolic pressure. High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher.
96.8 TO 98.6 DEGREES
Temperature: Normal body temperature measured orally is usually between 96.8 to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. A fever is a body temperature above 100.5 degrees.
12 TO 20 BREATHS PER MINUTE
Respiratory rate: The number of breaths per minute. This rate may increase with fever, illness or other medical conditions.
ON THE WEB Check out Memorial Hospital’s Web site for other good numbers to know, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), calorie calculator and target heart rate. www.stayinginshape.com/2memorialyork/mhyork_calculators.htm
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