Which vital sign is measured by the number of heartbeats per minute?

Heart rate is defined as the number of times the heart beats in one minute and is a crucial vital sign that reflects the body's cardiovascular health. It is typically measured in beats per minute (BPM) and can vary based on several factors, including physical activity, emotional state, and overall health. Monitoring heart rate is essential for assessing a patient's condition, particularly in emergency scenarios where changes in heart rate can indicate distress or underlying medical issues.

In contrast, blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, body temperature measures the body's ability to generate and dissipate heat, and respiratory rate quantifies the number of breaths taken in one minute. While all these metrics provide important information about a person's physiological status, only heart rate specifically pertains to the frequency of heartbeats.