Doctors will often monitor your oxygen levels. These can be monitored by using a pulse oximeter. You can monitor your own oxygen levels at home by purchasing your own pulse oximeter. Still, what is the best way of interpreting your oxygen levels? What do they mean? Here’s what to know.
What is partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)?
This flawed RCT found an almost certainly ‘too good to be true’ ICU mortality benefit from targeting SpO2 94%-98% versus 97-100% in general ICU patients. Interestingly, the conservative arm has higher SpO2 targets than current TSANZ guideline recommendations.
This is the most accurate oxygen level that we monitor. It’s how much oxygen is inside your arterial blood. A perfect reading would be 104. However, anything between 80-100 is considered acceptable. A PaO2 of 60-79 is considered mild hypoxemia. A PaO2 of 40-79 is considered moderate hypoxemia, and a PaO2 of less than 40 is considered severe hypoxemia.
Normal SpO2 values vary between 90 and 100%. Good blood oxygenation is necessary to supply the energy your muscles need in order to function, which increases during a sports activity. If your SpO2 value is below 90%, that could be a sign of poor blood oxygenation, also called hypoxia. In general, there’s no cause for concern if your SpO2 levels are between 95%-100% at sea level. However, many new smartwatches and fitness trackers now can measure SpO2 levels. This has led to a trend where people are focused on increasing their blood oxygen levels.
Hypoxemia is a fancy term for a low arterial blood oxygen level. Most experts accept the PaO2 value of 60 as the baseline value we want to maintain. If COPD is causing a PaO2 of less than 60, supplemental oxygen is indicated. Usually, with COPD, all that is needed is a low flow of 2-3 LPM. This is usually all that is needed to maintain a PaO2 of 60 or better. If you want, you can read my article, 'How To Qualify For Home Oxygen Therapy?'
There is only one way to learn what your PaO2 is. It is to draw blood from one of your arteries. The artery we usually draw it from is the radial artery. This is an artery that is near the surface on the thumb side of the back of your wrist. This test is called an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG). This is an invasive blood draw.
What is oxygen saturation (SpO2)?
SpO2 is another oxygen level. It’s the percentage of oxygen molecules you inhale that make it to your arterial blood. A perfectly normal value is 98%. However, anything greater than 90% is considered acceptable. For some people with COPD, doctors consider anything between 88-92% to be acceptable.
This value is determined using a pulse oximeter. It’s a small, hand-held device that you slip over a finger, toe, or earlobe. You can purchase these in stores. The ones you buy for your home are usually ones that slip over your finger.
These devices can be purchased for less than $30. You can get them from online stores like Amazon. I have seen them at stores like Aldi. The trick here is that you will want to make sure the one you buy is FDA approved. This will ensure that you are getting an accurate reading.
How are pulse oximeters helpful?
Pulse oximeters are helpful because they offer a simple, noninvasive way of determining your oxygen level. But your SpO2 level can also help determine your PaO2. This is by means of the 4-5-6-7-8-9 Rule.
It goes like this.
- 40 PaO2 equals an SpO2 of 70%
- 50 PaO2 equals an SpO2 of 80%
- 60 PaO2 equals an Spo2 of 90%
Basically, you take your SpO2 value minus 30. This gives an 'estimate' of where your PaO2 stands. By doing my own experiments, I have determined this 'estimated' PaO2 to be pretty accurate.
So, if your pulse oximeter gives you a reading of 90%, this means that your estimated PaO2 is 60. That’s right about where we want it. This is why the hospital I work for has a policy of maintaining a SpO2 of 90%. There are some exceptions that we can discuss in a future post if you want.
A helpful tool
Pulse oximeters are nice. They allow you and doctors to monitor your oxygen level at pretty much any time and place. It’s simple, painless, and accurate as long as you have a pulse oximeter that is FDA approved. You should talk to your doctor about determining what SpO2 level is best for you. For most people, it’s 90% or better. However, with some people with COPD, 88% is acceptable too. To learn what oxygen levels are best for you, talk to your COPD doctor.
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What are normal levels, and when should I worry?
Normal SpO2 is usually at least 95%. Some patients with chronic lung disease or sleep apnea can have normal levels of around 90%.
A medical professional should be consulted when the SpO2 reading is below the baseline, or according to the protocol of the medical center, if the patient is a resident of a long-term care facility; or has been previously evaluated by a physician for concerns related to fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or shortness of breath, muscle or body aches, stuffy or runny nose.
Supplemental oxygen or other treatments might be needed.
Other people should contact a health care provider if they experience shortness of breath or when measured SpO2 is <95%.
Contents
What is a good pulse oximeter reading?
Your pulse oximeter will show you your oxygen level as “SpO2.” Normal oxygen levels are at least 95%. Some patients with chronic lung disease or sleep apnea can have normal levels of around 90%.
If your home SpO2 reading is less than 95%, call your health care provider.
A pulse oximeter might be a helpful tool for you to monitor your health and help know if you need medical care. While a pulse oximeter may help you feel some control over your health, it does not tell the whole story.
Your oxygen level measured by a pulse oximeter is not the only way to know how sick you are. Some people may feel very sick and have good oxygen levels, and some may feel OK but have poor oxygen levels.
You might also have low oxygen levels if you feel short of breath, are breathing faster than usual, or feel too sick to do your usual daily activities. Call a health care provider right away if you have these symptoms.
Blood oxygen level normal range
What does “blood oxygen level” mean?
Good Spo2 Level
“Blood oxygen level” describes the amount of oxygen you have circulating in your blood.
Our bodies need oxygen to function. Oxygen enters the body through the nose and mouth and passes through the lungs into the bloodstream.
Once in the bloodstream, oxygen helps replace cells that wear out, provides energy for our bodies, supports the way our immune system functions, and more.
Low blood oxygen levels indicate that there may be an issue with your lungs or circulation.
Normal oxygen level for adults
Why is there an increased interest in blood oxygen levels?
People started to buy pulse oximeters to measure blood oxygen levels at home when they learned that low levels could be symptoms of the pandemic.
Shortness of breath is a well-known symptom, but it’s not always easy to detect. Some thought this device could be a tool to help self-assess for signs and symptoms.
Download slimjet browser for mac. There have also been reports of “silent hypoxia” where peoples’ oxygen levels are dangerously low, but they don’t necessarily experience shortness of breath. Paint 3d download for mac.
Best pulse oximeter for accurate reading at home
What are the 2 readings on a pulse oximeter?1. Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2): The measurement that indicates what percentage of blood is saturated.
2. Pulse Rate: Pulse rate is nothing but the heart rate that indicates the number of times a heart beats per minute.
The best finger to use it on is the middle finger. We assume that right middle finger and right thumb have the most accurate value that reflects the arterial oxygen saturation.
Normal Spo2 Level For Elderly
Can masks cause low oxygen levels?Absolutely not. We wear masks all day long in the hospital. The masks are designed to be breathed through and there is no evidence that low oxygen levels occur.
Medical grade Pulse Oximeter made in USA
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FDA approved pulse oximeter
Pulse oximetry is a test used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) of the blood. It is an easy, painless measure of how well oxygen is being sent to parts of your body furthest from your heart, such as the arms and legs.
Normal Spo2 For Elderly
Fingertip Pulse Oximeters
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