Normal Vital Signs by Age
Introduction to Vital Signs
Vital Signs are a set of medical measurements that are used to assess the overall health and well-being of a person. Specifically, these measurements include heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and body temperature.
Most importantly, the normal range for vital signs can vary based on a person’s age, as well as other factors such as activity level and overall health.
Heart Rate
To start, heart rate, also known as pulse, is the number of times a person’s heart beats per minute. However, a normal heart rate can depend on various factors, such as age, activity level, stress, caffeine and more.
Respiratory Rate
Next, respiratory rate is the number of times a person breathes per minute. Typically, a spirometer counts the number of breathes in one minute to measure the respiratory rate. An abnormal respiratory rate may be an indicator of asthma, pneumonia, COPD or other lung diseases.
Body Temperature
Body temperature is a measure of the heat produced by the body. In addition, temperature is commonly measured using a thermometer or a vital signs monitor in clinical settings. However, an abnormal body temperature can be a sign of a fever, hypothermia or an infection.
Blood Pressure
Finally, blood pressure is the force of blood during heart contractions and relaxations. Moreover, it is typically measured in “mm Hg” using a Systolic Number (contracting) and Diastolic Number (relaxing).
- Healthy: The systolic number is 120 or less, and the diastolic number is 80 or less.
- Elevated: The systolic number is between 120 and 129, and the diastolic number is less than 80.
- Stage 1 hypertension: The systolic number is between 130 and 139, or the diastolic number is between 80 and 89.
- Stage 2 hypertension: The systolic number is 140 or higher, or the diastolic number is 90 or higher.
Normal Vital Sign Ranges by Age
- Heart Rate: 100 – 160 BPM
- Respiratory Rate:
- 0-6 months: 30 – 60 BPM
- 6-12 months: 24 – 30 BPM
- Blood Pressure:
- 0 to 6 months: 65 to 90/45 to 65 mm Hg
- 6 to 12 months: 80 to 100/55 to 65 mm Hg
- Temperature: 97.4°F – 99.6°F (36.3°C – 37.5°C)
- Heart Rate: 70 – 120 BPM
- Respiratory Rate:
- 1-5 years: 20 – 30 BPM
- 6-11 years: 12 – 20BPM
- Blood Pressure: 90 to 110/55 to 75 mm Hg
- Temperature: 97.4°F – 99.6°F (36.3°C – 37.5°C)
- Heart Rate: 60 – 100 BPM
- Respiratory Rate: 12 – 18 BPM
- Blood Pressure: 10 to 135/65 to 85 mm Hg
- Temperature: 97.4°F – 99.6°F (36.3°C – 37.5°C)
- Heart Rate: 60 – 100 BPM
- Respiratory Rate: 12 – 18 BPM
- Blood Pressure: 120/80 mm HG
- Temperature: 97.4°F – 99.6°F (36.3°C – 37.5°C)
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