Barbara Ortezus

Blood Pressure
Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it throughout the body. It’s expressed as two numbers:
• Systolic Pressure (top number): Pressure during a heartbeat
• Diastolic Pressure (bottom number): Pressure between beats
Normal Blood Pressure: 120/80 mmHg
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) may cause dizziness, fainting, and shock in extreme cases.
Causes of Abnormal Blood Pressure:
• Stress
• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Genetics
• Medications
Monitoring blood pressure regularly helps prevent long-term complications and guides treatment for cardiovascular conditions.
Heart Rate (Pulse)
Heart rate indicates how many times the heart beats per minute (BPM). It varies based on activity, age, emotions, and fitness level.
Normal Resting Heart Rate: 60–100 BPM
Athletes: Often 40–60 BPM due to stronger heart muscle
A consistently high heart rate (tachycardia) or low heart rate (bradycardia) can signal underlying health issues such as arrhythmias, heart disease, or hormonal imbalances.
Ways to Monitor:
• Manually via the radial pulse (wrist)
• Wearable devices (smartwatches, fitness bands)
• Medical monitors (ECG, pulse oximeters)
Blood Oxygen Level (SpO2)
SpO2 measures the oxygen saturation in the blood, reflecting how efficiently oxygen is being transported to the organs.
Normal SpO2: 95%–100%
Levels below 90% indicate hypoxemia, which can be life-threatening and may be caused by:
• Lung diseases (COPD, asthma, pneumonia)
• Sleep apnea
• COVID-19 and other infections
• Anemia or circulatory issues
Pulse oximeters, clipped to a finger, provide quick and non-invasive readings. Monitoring SpO2 is especially important for patients with respiratory or cardiac conditions.
Respiratory Rate
Respiratory rate Blood Vitals Reviews of breaths taken per minute.
Normal Adult Rate: 12–20 breaths per minute
An elevated respiratory rate (tachypnea) may point to:
• Infections (pneumonia, sepsis)
• Anxiety or stress
• Heart failure
• Lung diseases
A decreased rate (bradypnea) can result from:
• Drug overdose
• Neurological disorders
• Brain injuries
Though often overlooked, respiratory rate is one of the earliest indicators of clinical deterioration.
Blood Glucose Level
Blood glucose (sugar) levels indicate how much sugar is present in the bloodstream, vital for energy production.
Fasting Normal Range: 70–99 mg/dL
After meals: