What Are the 6 Key Vital Signs & Why Do They Matter?

We are describing heart rate, blood pressure, SpO₂, body temperature, ECG, and blood glucose*, and their significance in overall health.

Vital signs are the body’s way of telling us how it’s functioning in real time. Traditionally, healthcare providers check a few basic measurements like heart rate and blood pressure. But today, with modern portable devices like QluPod, we can easily track even more critical health indicators — giving us a fuller picture of our well-being.

Here are the six key vital signs everyone should know about, what they measure, and why they matter.

1.   Heart Rate (Pulse)

What it measures: The number of times your heart beats per minute (bpm).

Why it matters: Heart rate reflects your heart’s health and how your body responds to stress, exercise, and illness. A normal resting heart rate for most adults ranges from 60–100 bpm.

Tracking your heart rate helps detect conditions like arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and monitor your fitness level.

2.   Blood Pressure

What it measures: The force of blood pushing against your artery walls as your heart pumps.

• Systolic (top number): Pressure when the heart beats.
• Diastolic (bottom number): Pressure when the heart rests between beats.

Why it matters: High blood pressure (hypertension) is known as the “silent killer” because it often has no symptoms but increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.

Regular monitoring helps you keep blood pressure within a healthy range, usually around 120/80 mmHg.

3.   Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

What it measures: The percentage of oxygen carried by red blood cells.

Why it matters: A normal SpO₂ level is typically 95–100%. Low oxygen levels can be a sign of respiratory problems, heart conditions, or other health issues.

Monitoring SpO₂ is especially useful for people with conditions like asthma, COPD, or during illness recovery.

4.   Body Temperature

What it measures: Your body’s internal temperature.

Why it matters: Temperature changes can indicate infection, inflammation, or other medical conditions. The average normal temperature is about 37°C (98.6°F), but it can vary slightly from person to person.

Consistent monitoring helps detect fevers early and track recovery.

5.   ECG (Electrocardiogram)

What it measures: The electrical activity of your heart.

Why it matters: An ECG shows your heart rhythm and can detect irregularities, heart attacks, and other heart conditions.

Having an easy-to-use device like QluPod that offers ECG monitoring at home can make early detection and timely treatment possible.

6.   Blood Glucose*

What it measures: The level of sugar (glucose) in your blood.

Why it matters: Blood glucose monitoring is crucial for people with diabetes or those at risk. Keeping glucose levels within a healthy range helps prevent complications like nerve damage, vision problems, and cardiovascular disease.

*The Glucose feature is currently not available for the Swiss, UK and EU markets!

Why Tracking Vital Signs Matters More Than Ever

Monitoring these six vital signs regularly can:

• Help detect health issues before they become serious.
• Guide lifestyle and treatment decisions.
• Empower you to take control of your health.

Portable devices like QluPod make this easier than ever, offering multi-parameter monitoring in a single, easy-to-use device — perfect for daily use, chronic disease management, or telemedicine.

Understanding and tracking key vital signs — heart rate, blood pressure, SpO₂, body temperature, ECG, and blood glucose — is an important step toward better health. By keeping an eye on these numbers, you’re more likely to catch problems early and stay healthier in the long run.