How To Interpret Pulse Oximeter Readings

How to Interpret Pulse Oximeter Readings

Blood oxygen level is the amount of oxygen carried in the blood. This level indicates whether oxygen is being distributed adequately throughout the body and therefore reflects overall health.

As defined by the World Health Organization, normal blood oxygen levels range from 95-100%. If the blood oxygen level is below 94%, it should be evaluated by a doctor, while below 90% is considered a clinical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

What does SpO2 mean?

Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) is the percentage of the combined capacity of oxygen and hemoglobin in the blood to the total hemoglobin capacity, that is, the concentration of oxygen in the blood. It is an important physiological parameter of respiratory circulation. Blood oxygen saturation below 90% may be considered hypoxemia. The device's blood oxygen saturation is divided as follows. The lower the value, the higher the risk: green point >= 90%, orange point 70%--89%. The blood oxygen saturation range supported by the device is 70%--100%.

How does the pulse oximeter work?

The finger clip of the oximeter emits two red lights, and measures the blood oxygen saturation in the body through the light transmission intensity of the red light when it passes through the finger.

What is the normal blood oxygen level during sleep at night?

The normal range of nighttime sleep blood oxygen index is generally around 95. During sleep, it is considered abnormal if the blood oxygen index drops below 90, which may be related to hypoxia caused by snoring or tongue tilting back during sleep, phlegm obstruction, etc. Change your body position, or turn over and pat your back to clear the obstruction, and your blood oxygen will be normal. Sometimes this is not a problem, but if it happens frequently, it is necessary to identify the cause and treat it symptomatically. The normal range of blood oxygen at night is generally around 95. Too high or too low is not a good sign. Only when the blood oxygen concentration is within the normal range is it healthy. Of course, high blood oxygen levels are not a good sign. The blood oxygen in the human body has a certain degree of saturation. If it is too low, it will cause insufficient oxygen supply to the body, and if it is too high, it will cause the cells in the body to age. It is recommended that patients go to the hospital for medical treatment in time if their blood oxygen index is low.