Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNormal RangesMedical UseHome TestingHow to Take a ReadingInterpretationWhat Happens Next
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Normal Ranges
Medical Use
Home Testing
How to Take a Reading
Interpretation
What Happens Next
Pulse oximetryis a quick and noninvasive test that measures the oxygen saturation level in your blood using a device called a pulse oximeter. It helps monitor how well oxygen is being delivered in the body.
Low oxygen levels can occur due to health conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulse oximeters are frequently used in hospitals and clinics but can also be used at home.
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Most people have a normal resting pulse oximetry reading foroxygen saturation(SpO2) between 95% and 100%.This shows that your blood has an appropriate amount of oxygen. People at higher altitudes may have slightly lower readings.
If your oxygen saturation level drops below 95%, it may suggest a potential issue with your lung or heart function. Levels below 92% are considered low and may require medical attention.You should seek immediate medical attention for a reading of 88% or lower.
It’s important to note that some factors, such as darker-pigmented skin and even the use of nail polish, can affect how the pulse oximeter reads oxygen levels. Other factors, such as being in high altitudes and incorrectly using the pulse oximeter, can sometimes interfere with normal readings.
How Medical Professionals Use Pulse Oximeters
Medical professionals frequently use pulse oximetry to assess a patient’s oxygen level quickly in many settings. In hospitals, it’s commonly used in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and intensive care units to monitor patients, especially those with conditions affecting the heart and lungs.
Pulse oximeters help healthcare providers detect sudden drops in oxygen levels, which can indicate a serious issue such as respiratory failure or complications during surgery. By monitoring continuously in real time, healthcare providers can act immediately to provide interventions to help support healthy oxygenation.
In everyday medical practice, pulse oximetry is used during routine checkups for people who visit their provider’s office. It can help track how well treatments likeinhalersor supplemental oxygen work. It is also helpful in assessing people with symptoms of COVID-19 or other infections that can affect lung function.
A pulse ox is a simple, noninvasive way to monitor oxygen levels in any healthcare setting.
When You May Want a Home Test
You may want to have apulse oximeterat home if you have health conditions that affect your lungs or heart. Conditions such asCOPD,asthma,heart failure, orsleep apneacan cause your oxygen levels to decrease.Monitoring at home can allow you to track changes and respond quickly.
Many people also found home pulse oximeters useful during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the virus can cause low oxygen levels before other symptoms became worse.
However, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about how to use a pulse oximeter correctly and how to interpret your results correctly to ensure you’re getting accurate information. You should also know when to contact your healthcare provider for low oxygen levels.
Taking a reading with a pulse oximeter is simple. To begin, make sure your hands are warm, as cold fingers can affect the accuracy. Remove any fingernail polish or artificial nails.
For the best results, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult your healthcare provider if you’re unsure how to interpret the readings.
Understanding Your Reading
When interpreting the readings of a pulse oximeter, it’s important to understand what the numbers mean. The oxygen saturation level is shown on the device as SpO2. This reflects the percentage of oxygen in your blood.
A normal reading typically ranges from 95% to 100%. Levels below 92% are considered low and could indicate a more serious issue, so contact a healthcare provider.Seek immediate medical attention for a reading of 88% or lower.
Along with oxygen saturation, the pulse oximeter will display yourheart rate, measured in beats per minute (BPM). The target number is based on age and can vary depending on your fitness level or whether you’re resting or active.
While occasional changes in oxygen levels might be normal, consistently low readings or symptoms likeshortness of breath, chest pain, or confusion should be discussed with a healthcare provider immediately.
Certain factors, such as poor circulation, wearing nail polish, being overweight, or having a dark skin tones, can affect accuracy and bias of the reading. If you notice unexpected results, take multiple readings and notify your healthcare provider.
If your pulse oximeter consistently shows low readings, it’s important to notify your healthcare team. Low oxygen levels, known ashypoxemia, can indicate that your body isn’t getting enough oxygen.
If you’re experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, confusion, or chest pain along with low readings, you should contact your healthcare provider right away or seek emergency treatment.
In some cases,supplemental oxygenor other treatments may be needed to increase your oxygen levels.Your healthcare provider may also order additional tests to investigate the cause of the low readings and develop a treatment plan.
Summary
Pulse oximetry is a quick, noninvasive test that measures the oxygen saturation levels in the blood, using a device called a pulse oximeter. It helps monitor how well oxygen is being delivered throughout the body. It is commonly used in hospitals, healthcare provider offices, and at home.
Normal oxygen saturation levels range from 95% to 100%, with levels below 92% signaling a potential medical issue. Factors like skin tone, nail polish, and device errors can affect accuracy of the pulse ox reading.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NIH MedlinePlus Magazine.Getting an accurate read on pulse oximeters.Yale Medicine.Pulse oximetry.MedlinePlus.Pulse oximetry.Luks AM, Swenson ER.Pulse oximetry for monitoring patients with COVID-19 at home. Potential pitfalls and practical guidance.Annals ATS. 2020;17(9):1040-1046.doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202005-418FRWick KD, Matthay MA, Ware LB.Pulse oximetry for the diagnosis and management of acute respiratory distress syndrome.Lancet Respir Med. 2022;10(11):1086-1098. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00058-3American Heart Association.All about heart rate.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Pulse oximeter accuracy and limitations: FDA safety communication.American Lung Association.Pulse oximetry.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NIH MedlinePlus Magazine.Getting an accurate read on pulse oximeters.Yale Medicine.Pulse oximetry.MedlinePlus.Pulse oximetry.Luks AM, Swenson ER.Pulse oximetry for monitoring patients with COVID-19 at home. Potential pitfalls and practical guidance.Annals ATS. 2020;17(9):1040-1046.doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202005-418FRWick KD, Matthay MA, Ware LB.Pulse oximetry for the diagnosis and management of acute respiratory distress syndrome.Lancet Respir Med. 2022;10(11):1086-1098. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00058-3American Heart Association.All about heart rate.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Pulse oximeter accuracy and limitations: FDA safety communication.American Lung Association.Pulse oximetry.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine.Getting an accurate read on pulse oximeters.Yale Medicine.Pulse oximetry.MedlinePlus.Pulse oximetry.Luks AM, Swenson ER.Pulse oximetry for monitoring patients with COVID-19 at home. Potential pitfalls and practical guidance.Annals ATS. 2020;17(9):1040-1046.doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202005-418FRWick KD, Matthay MA, Ware LB.Pulse oximetry for the diagnosis and management of acute respiratory distress syndrome.Lancet Respir Med. 2022;10(11):1086-1098. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00058-3American Heart Association.All about heart rate.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Pulse oximeter accuracy and limitations: FDA safety communication.American Lung Association.Pulse oximetry.
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine.Getting an accurate read on pulse oximeters.
Yale Medicine.Pulse oximetry.
MedlinePlus.Pulse oximetry.
Luks AM, Swenson ER.Pulse oximetry for monitoring patients with COVID-19 at home. Potential pitfalls and practical guidance.Annals ATS. 2020;17(9):1040-1046.doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202005-418FR
Wick KD, Matthay MA, Ware LB.Pulse oximetry for the diagnosis and management of acute respiratory distress syndrome.Lancet Respir Med. 2022;10(11):1086-1098. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00058-3
American Heart Association.All about heart rate.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Pulse oximeter accuracy and limitations: FDA safety communication.
American Lung Association.Pulse oximetry.
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