Basal metabolic rate is the percentage of the difference between the minimum calorie consumption per hour per unit of surface area minus the standard calorie consumption when the body maintains basic physiological activities, which is called basal metabolic rate. The commonly used clinical measurements are: fasting for 12 hours, lying on an empty stomach early in the morning after 8 hours of sleep, and basal metabolic rate = (pulse rate + pulse pressure) – 111 (pulse pressure is calculated in mmHg). The normal range of basal metabolic rate is generally between -10% and +10% (or +15%). Pathologic factors that commonly lead to elevated basal metabolic rate are endocrine disorders, such as hyperthyroidism. In addition, elevated basal metabolic rate may also occur in physically active individuals, such as athletes, and in patients with infectious diseases. There are also many factors that contribute to its decrease, such as hypothyroidism and hypopituitarism. It is recommended that patients with abnormal basal metabolic rate should go to the hospital in time to have the relevant examinations done to clarify the cause of the disease and then follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment to avoid delaying the condition.