Do they still monitor astronauts' vital signs?

Question

I know they did in the mercury through Apollo days but is that still done? At least during launch and reentry and/or spacewalks?

Answer 1

NASA currently monitors biomedical data on EVA crewmembers.

Flight surgeons and biomedical engineers (BMEs) in the Mission Control Center monitor astronaut physical parameters during EVAs to assess workload and performance. Real-time medical monitoring can provide emergency medical assistance in response to off-nominal situations. However, bioinstrumentation systems that were used in the Apollo Program and are being used in the Space Shuttle Program have been problematic. Scheuring et al. (2007) provide approximately 75 citations from the flight surgeon logs, BME logs, and medical mission debriefings that relate to issues associated with bioinstrumentation. These range from complaints of skin irritation due to the electrode paste to signal dropouts and sensor failure (Scheuring et al., 2007). Both Apollo and shuttle/ISS EVA crew members have expressed frustration with the cumbersome and time-consuming process of donning/doffing their biomedical sensor systems. Improvements to the biomedical sensor systems for future missions are therefore warranted.

Source: Risk of Compromised EVA Performance and Crew Health Due to Inadequate EVA Suit Systems

This paragraph describes what is monitored:

The Surgeon Console position in Mission Control is staffed by both a Flight Surgeon and a biomedical engineer during EVAs to provide medical support as needed. Additional EVA medical and physiological experts are available on call to assist the console surgeon should further consultation be required. Biomedical monitoring is undertaken to provide feedback to the Flight Director. Monitoring includes electrocardiography and heart rate, suit pressure, suit carbon dioxide partial pressure, and estimated metabolic rate.

Source: Extravehicular Activity Frequency and the Work Efficiency Index