Vital Signs: What Are They And What Do They Mean?
As part of your Initial Examination or Annual Neurophysical Exam, we may be testing some of your vital signs. These may include, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. In this article we will break down the purpose of each test and what the normative values are so that you can compare them to your own results.
❤️ Resting Heart Rate (RHR)
Healthy resting HR is influenced by age, sex, and fitness level.
| Age Range | Male (bpm) | Female (bpm) |
|---|---|---|
| 16–25 yrs | 62–70 | 69–77 |
| 26–35 yrs | 62–70 | 68–76 |
| 36–45 yrs | 63–71 | 69–78 |
| 46–55 yrs | 64–72 | 70–78 |
| 56–65 yrs | 65–73 | 71–79 |
| 65+ yrs | 66–73 | 72–80 |
- Normal adult range (all ages): 60–100 bpm
- Athletes / high fitness: often 40–60 bpm at rest, considered normal if asymptomatic.
✅ Key points:
- A lower resting HR (within the healthy range) generally reflects better cardiovascular fitness.
- Women tend to have slightly higher resting HRs than men at all ages.
- Resting HR naturally trends upward with age due to changes in autonomic balance and cardiovascular conditioning.
- Persistent resting HR >100 bpm (tachycardia) or <50 bpm (bradycardia) outside of athletic adaptation may warrant further evaluation.
❤️ Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure Ranges
| Category | Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | <120 | <80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | <80 |
| Stage 1 HTN | 130–139 | 80–89 |
| Stage 2 HTN | ≥140 | ≥90 |
| Hypertensive Crisis | >180 | >120 |
Average Healthy BP by Age & Sex (population norms)
| Age Range | Male Average (mmHg) | Female Average (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|
| 16–25 yrs | ~120/78 | ~115/75 |
| 26–35 yrs | ~122/79 | ~116/76 |
| 36–45 yrs | ~124/80 | ~118/77 |
| 46–55 yrs | ~127/82 | ~122/78 |
| 56–65 yrs | ~131/84 | ~126/79 |
| 65+ yrs | ~135/85 | ~134/83 |
✅ Key points:
-
“Normal” BP is below 120/80 mmHg.
-
Women tend to have slightly lower BP than men before menopause; after menopause, averages equalize or may rise slightly above men’s.
-
BP generally rises with age due to arterial stiffness and vascular changes.
-
Consistently elevated values should be interpreted alongside lifestyle, stress, and cardiovascular risk factors.
❤️ Oxygenation Saturation
The purpose of testing oxygen saturation (SpO₂) is to measure how much oxygen your red blood cells are carrying in your blood. It gives a quick snapshot of how effectively your lungs are delivering oxygen to your body. This test assesses respiratory function and helps determine if your lungs areproperly oxygenating the blood. It can be useful information in conditions like asthma, pneumonia, COPD, or other respiratory illness, and in smokers. Low oxygen levels can be dangerous and may appear before obvious symptoms like shortness of breath.
Normal SpO₂ range: Usually 95–100% in healthy individuals. Values below 90% are concerning and require medical attention.
Hopefully this helps you understand your vital signs testing at a higher level. Gathering data on all your body systems helps us better understand your health and how we can best help you.
