Abstract: A portable system for monitoring the vital signs of a patient such as ECG, temperature, respiration, heart beat etc. consisting of a substantially flat housing having either exposed electrodes or temperature sensors for contact with the patient's skin. The device may also include one or more microphones for detecting respiration and heart beat. The device is preferably coupled to an elastic band which is worn around the patient's waist and in contact with his skin surface. The elastic band preferably has one electrode and the housing of the device contains the other ECG electrode. The measured vital signs are fed to a microprocessor or logic circuit which compares these vital signs with normal signs stored in a ROM memory. The measured vital signs are also stored in a RAM memory circuit and can be read out at desired time intervals. At the onset of any abnormal vital sign readings, an audible alarm will be triggered to warn of possible danger.