Before 2020, you probably didn’t think much about your blood oxygen levels. Maybe there was a time you got sick or needed surgery, and a health professional clipped a sensor to your fingertip to test your levels. It’s likely you haven’t thought about those measurements since then.
Until this year, that is. COVID-19 has shown us how our lung health and oxygen levels are interconnected. And manufacturers of some of the latest fitness trackers are adding features that can measure blood oxygen levels. Here’s what you need to know.
What does my blood oxygen level tell me?
Your blood oxygen level measures how much oxygen is circulating with your red blood cells. You can measure your blood oxygen level with a pulse oximeter. That’s a small device that clips onto your fingertip. It shines a light into the tiny blood vessels in your finger and measures the oxygen from the light that’s reflected back.
Your blood oxygen level is measured as a percentage—95 to 100 percent is considered normal.
“If oxygen levels are below 88 percent, that is a cause for concern,” said Christian Bime, MD, a critical care medicine specialist with a focus in pulmonology at Banner - University Medical Center Tucson. If you see readings at or below this level, you should contact your health care provider immediately or go to the nearest urgent care center or emergency room.
How does COVID-19 affect blood oxygen levels?
Some people with COVID-19 have dangerously low levels of oxygen. If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, or you’ve tested positive but don’t have symptoms, there’s no need to check your blood oxygen level, Dr. Bime said. But if you develop symptoms, you might want to check your level. If it’s low or you notice it’s dropping, contact your healthcare provider.
Are there other times I should be checking my blood oxygen levels?
If you have lung or heart conditions, your doctor might want you to routinely check your blood oxygen levels at home. Dr. Bime said it’s recommended for people with:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Congestive heart failure
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
What causes low blood oxygen levels?
Different situations can cause low oxygen levels:
- Pus, blood, or water filling the air sacs in the lungs
- Blood clots in the lung
- Scarring or loss of lung tissue
- Sudden exercise, if you have heart or lung disease
- Not breathing, in someone who is profoundly intoxicated, for example
- Transitioning from low altitude, where the air has a high concentration of oxygen, to high altitude, where there’s a low oxygen concentration.
How can I check my blood oxygen level?
You have a few options. You can buy an FDA-approved pulse oximeter from a pharmacy or online retailer for $15 to $30. Dr. Bime recommends them for many of his patients with chronic diseases. He suggests people bring the devices to their doctor’s appointments to compare measurements.
Some of the latest wearable fitness devices can also measure your blood oxygen level—the Apple Watch Series 6 and certain Fitbit and Garmin devices track it through your wrist, and the Wellue Continuous Ring Oximeter takes readings from your finger.
They can be okay, with caveats. “There is a lot of variability in how these devices measure the oxygen levels, and these methods have not been cleared by the FDA,” Dr. Bime said. “As long as you compared the results to those from an FDA-approved device, they are fine.”
If you notice low oxygen levels on a fitness tracker, contact your healthcare provider for an evaluation. If your wearable device shows a normal oxygen level, but you don’t feel well, Dr. Bime still recommends getting evaluated by your doctor. “Do not be falsely reassured,” he said.
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Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Your SpO2 reading is an estimation of the amount of oxygen in your blood. An SpO2 reading of 95% or greater is generally considered to be a normal oxygen level. However, an SpO2 reading of 92% or less (at sea level) suggests that your blood is poorly saturated. Insufficient saturation can cause a range of adverse health conditions—including chest pain, shortness of breath and increased heart rate.
Pulse Rate
Your pulse rate is an estimation of the number of times your heart contracts per minute. According to the Mayo Clinic, normal pulse rate values for adults range from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). In general, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. For some people, a pulse rate below 60 bpm indicates abnormally slow heart action, also known as bradycardia. Bradycardia can cause a number of problematic symptoms—including fainting, fatigue, chest pains and memory problems.
A pulse oximeter gives you accurate insights on your SpO2 and pulse rate within a matter of seconds, empowering you to respond quickly and confidently to abnormal readings. As a result, many people with adverse heart and breathing conditions invest in personal oximeters for in-home use.
Note: SpO2 and pulse rate measurements outside the normal range aren’t always a sign of health problems. For example, your heart rate can be expected to increase during exercise, and oxygen saturation may decrease slightly (it should still remain at 90% or greater).
Personal Finger Pulse Oximeters
Since being invented by Nonin in 1995, the finger pulse oximeter has expanded the availability of pulse oximetry to include at-home patient monitoring. People with heart or breathing problems can rely on personal finger pulse oximeters to help them manage these conditions under physician guidance. For example, individuals with asthma can leverage personal oximeters to assess the severity of attacks and exacerbations. Accurate pulse rate and SpO2 readings are particularly important for patients who are physically active or experiencing frequent drops in oxygen levels.
For people with COPD, asthma or other lung diseases who want to stay active, the quality of their pulse oximeter is incredibly important. Fast, reliable oximeter readings play an essential role in helping patients adjust their oxygen flow when exercising, participating in social activities or spending time at home. High-quality monitoring devices can also help physicians with monitoring the efficacy of treatment efforts and respond quickly if the condition worsens. That’s why people spanning the globe count on Nonin’s leading-edge finger pulse oximeters for personal use.
Nonin Personal Pulse Oximeters
Nonin is known for developing world-class pulse oximetry equipment for clinicians, first responders and in-home patients. Our flexible monitoring devices are built for repeated daily use in the most challenging patient environments imaginable, bringing simplicity and dependability to your self-monitoring efforts.
If you want to monitor your oxygen levels and pulse rate in-home or on the move, Nonin has options for you. Our fingertip pulse oximeters are available with a prescription from a medical professional, or you can buy a NoninConnect 3245 without a prescription. These portable monitoring devices are highly durable and easy to use, even when exercising or traveling. They provide responsive and precise readings in a range of conditions, and feature:
- Proven Performance: Nonin PureLight® sensors produce a high-intensity pure light spectrum, which eliminates variations in readings for consistent measurements time after time.
- Unrivaled Versatility: Provides reliable and accurate results for all skin pigmentation types even if the patient has low perfusion, making it a suitable monitoring tool for almost any patient.
- Peerless Durability: Can withstand repeated use and multiple drops without compromising on performance, making it one of the most durable self-monitoring oximeters in the industry.
- Comparison Superiority: In a side-by-side comparison, Nonin accurately tracked a person’s oxygen level decrease from 98% to 74% while a primary competitor only tracked down to 95%.
Count on Nonin for Dependable Self-Monitoring Solutions
If you’re interested in learning more about Nonin and our best-in-class self-monitoring devices, then be sure to call or message us today. Our team can provide all the resources and support you need to find the best personal pulse oximeter for your lifestyle.