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What Are Blood Vitals?
"Vitals" in medicine refer to Blood Vitalsthat provide information about the essential functions of the body. Traditionally, vital signs include body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. When we talk about blood vitals, we're expanding the definition to include various biochemical and physiological markers measured through blood that are crucial to monitoring health. These include:
Blood Pressure: The Silent Indicator
Although technically not drawn from blood but rather measured through an external cuff, blood pressure is one of the most essential "blood vitals." It reflects how hard the heart is working to pump blood through the body.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is often called the “silent killer” because it typically has no symptoms but can lead to serious health problems like stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. Regular monitoring and management can prevent long-term complications.
Heart Rate and Pulse
The heart rate, or pulse, is a basic yet critical blood vital that reflects the number of heartbeats per minute.
Changes in heart rate can indicate stress, infection, heart problems, or other underlying issues. A consistently high or low heart rate may require medical evaluation.
Blood Glucose Levels
Blood glucose or blood sugar levels are central to metabolic health. These levels fluctuate depending on when and what you eat, but they are tightly regulated by hormones like insulin.
Reference Ranges
https://blood-vitals.co.uk/
"Vitals" in medicine refer to Blood Vitalsthat provide information about the essential functions of the body. Traditionally, vital signs include body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. When we talk about blood vitals, we're expanding the definition to include various biochemical and physiological markers measured through blood that are crucial to monitoring health. These include:
- Blood Pressure (though not directly measured via blood draw)
- Heart Rate
- Blood Glucose (Sugar) Levels
- Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
- Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
- Cholesterol and Lipid Profiles
- White and Red Blood Cell Counts
- Platelet Count
- Electrolyte Balance (e.g., Sodium, Potassium, Calcium)
Blood Pressure: The Silent Indicator
Although technically not drawn from blood but rather measured through an external cuff, blood pressure is one of the most essential "blood vitals." It reflects how hard the heart is working to pump blood through the body.
- Normal Blood Pressure: Around 120/80 mm Hg
- Hypertension: Consistent readings of 130/80 mm Hg or higher
- Hypotension: Consistent readings below 90/60 mm Hg
High blood pressure (hypertension) is often called the “silent killer” because it typically has no symptoms but can lead to serious health problems like stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. Regular monitoring and management can prevent long-term complications.
Heart Rate and Pulse
The heart rate, or pulse, is a basic yet critical blood vital that reflects the number of heartbeats per minute.
- Normal Resting Heart Rate: 60–100 beats per minute (bpm)
- Bradycardia: < 60 bpm (can be normal in athletes)
- Tachycardia: > 100 bpm
Changes in heart rate can indicate stress, infection, heart problems, or other underlying issues. A consistently high or low heart rate may require medical evaluation.
Blood Glucose Levels
Blood glucose or blood sugar levels are central to metabolic health. These levels fluctuate depending on when and what you eat, but they are tightly regulated by hormones like insulin.
Reference Ranges
- Fasting Blood Glucose: 70–99 mg/dL
- Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL
- Diabetes: ≥ 126 mg/dL on two separate tests
https://blood-vitals.co.uk/