Are you curious about your heart and lung function but don’t want to visit a doctor frequently? No worries, you can do this with a pulse oximeter on hand! It is a simple and non-invasive device that helps you monitor your oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate from the comfort of your own home. By simply placing the device on your finger, you can have quick and easy access to valuable information about your health.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps on how to read a pulse oximeter and what the readings mean, so you can better understand your body and take control of your health. So, sit back, relax, and explore with me!
What Is A Pulse Oximeter – An Overview
Pulse oximetry has the potential to be used in inpatient settings as well as outpatient. In some scenarios, your doc may advise you to purchase a pulse oxygen meter for home use. You can check this to stay informed about different health conditions like sleep apnea, lung conditions, breathing interventions, cardiovascular (heart and blood veins related) issues, etc.
In general, it is a simple, non-invasive, and painless test. Aside from possible skin annoyance by the adhesive that is used in a few kinds of probes, there are no risks. It isn’t, however, as precise as clinical blood gas monitoring. It may fall short, particularly for people with darker skin tones due to poor light absorbancy in colored skin. To your surprise, bright-colored nail polishes can also disturb the pulse oximeter readings.
Here, before learning how to take the reading, you need to know the types of pulse oximeters you can own. Mainly, there are six major types of these pulse oximeters including Fingertip (the handy wireless device), Handheld (the one coming with a wire connected to a handy reader), Benchtop (similar to handheld but come with a holding stand), Phone-based (a fingertip-alike that connects with a smartphone), Wearable (the one that can wear like a watch), and Multimodal (the one that can be integrated into any other monitor).
Though the readings indication remains the same, the method to use a pulse oximeter may differ depending on the type of pulse oximeter you are using. Well, reading the pulse oximeter is as simple as reading a kindergarten book cover but you need to learn its language first. Let’s explore how to read a pulse Oximeter!
How To Read A Pulse Oximeter: A Step-By-Step Guide
In general, here is a step-by-step guide on how to read a pulse oximeter at home:
Step 1: Choose a pulse oximeter
Make sure you have a high-quality, FDA-approved pulse oximeter. You can purchase one online or at a medical supply store.
Step 2: Prepare yourself
Wash your hands and make sure your fingers are dry. Avoid using lotions, creams, or oils on your skin, as these can affect the accuracy of the readings.
Step 3: Choose a finger
Pulse oximeters are typically designed to be used on the index finger, middle finger, or thumb. Choose the finger that is easiest to place in the device.
Step 4: Place the device on the finger
Slide the pulse oximeter over the chosen finger so that the sensors are in good contact with the skin. The sensors should be positioned so that they are shining through the nail bed.
Step 5: Turn on the device
Once the device is in place, turn it on by pressing the power button. The device should start measuring your oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate.
Step 6: Read the display
The display will show your oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) and pulse rate. The readings should be stable and accurate within a few seconds. The SpO2 should be between 95% and 100%, while the pulse rate should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Step 7: Check for pulse waveform
Some pulse oximeters also display a pulse waveform, which is a graphical representation of your pulse. The waveform should be regular and consistent, with no significant variations.
Step 8: Take note of the readings
Record the readings and any observations you have made, such as pulse waveform, comfort, or skin color. This information can be important when discussing the results with your doctor.
Step 9: Remove the device
Once you have taken the readings, remove the pulse oximeter from your finger. If the device is not disposable, clean it and store it for future use.
Reading a pulse oximeter at home is a simple and convenient way to monitor your heart and lung function. By following these steps, you can obtain accurate and reliable readings, and track changes in your condition over time. It’s always a good idea to discuss the results with your doctor and to use the readings as a supplement to other medical tests and assessments.
Precautions:
- Before starting take off any jewelry or nail polish on your finger as it may disturb the reading.
- Before linking the device, ensure your palm is cozy, below your heart level, and relaxed
- It is recommended to use it on the finger, however, you can also use it on the earlobe or toe.
- Once attached, allow the device to monitor your pulse and oxygen saturation for at least 20-30 seconds.
- When the test is done, you can remove the device and can save it as required.
Tiny beams of light go through the blood in your finger to calculate the quantity of oxygen. This is an easy method. The pulse oximeter will show you your o2 saturation stages as well as your rate of the heart.
Why Do You Need A Pulse Oximeter At Home?
As a pulse oximeter reads the oxygen in the blood and the heart rate, it helps assess the present situation of plenty of heart and lung diseases. For example, COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease associated with breathlessness and chesty cough, asthma associated with shortness of breath, pneumonia, cancer of the lungs, anemia associated with low blood count, a heart attack or cardiac failure, and heart defect by birth. Pulse oximetry can be used for numerous reasons, including:
- To determine whether a new lung medication is effective or to assess a patient’s tolerance for increased physical activity which would indicate if he needs supplemental oxygen therapy during or after surgical procedures. Which is mandatory for a safe sedative procedure!
- To identify and decide if a patient requires oxygen for assisted breathing to avoid the occurrence of medical emergencies, especially in riskier conditions like extreme cold and draining summers.
- To determine in case someone briefly terminates breathing while in sleep, as in Sleep-Apnea. With this, again, the occurrence of medical emergencies and fatalities can be controlled.
Understanding The Readings Of A Pulse Oximeter
Pulse oximetry tests estimate blood oxygen levels and they are usually accurate. This is ultimately true when using high-quality gadgets, as is common in medical places and hospitals. Medical professionals can perform accurate tests with the assistance of certified equipment.
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) According to a reliable source, more than 89% of the blood must be carrying o2. This is the mandatory o2 saturation required for your cells to keep healthy. Considering an o2 saturation that is non-permanent and lower than this level may not cause any harm. However, repeated or consistent instances of low oxygen saturation levels may be harmful.
For most people in good physical condition, an o2 saturation level of 96% or above is appraised as normal. A level of 95% is considered acceptable but needs to be monitored regularly at home. A level of 93% to 94% indicates that you have to seek advice from your general physician. A level of 92% or lower can indicate hypoxemia or a dangerously low level of oxygen in the blood which means you need immediate medical service.
Readings can be disturbed by numerous conditions, such as a person’s skin tone, wearables, their types, physical state, etc. This is why if you are a person of color (having darker skin tones, having tattooed skin on the site of the test, or having skin pigmentation due to any reason), it is better to get checked under the supervision of professionals. Or otherwise, you can learn to estimate the gap between your home-tested readings and actual readings.
How To Read A Pulse Oximeter: Summary
A pulse oximeter is a medical device used to measure the oxygen saturation level in a person’s blood. To read a pulse oximeter, just put it on your finger and start it. The device will display two numbers: a percentage reading indicating the oxygen saturation level (SpO2) and a pulse rate in beats per minute.
A healthy reading should be 95% or higher for the SpO2 and a pulse rate within a normal range for the individual. If the readings are low, it may indicate a medical condition requiring further evaluation by a healthcare professional. I hope you will learn everything about how to read a pulse oximeter in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was I advised to use a pulse oximeter?
Because you are recovering from COVID-19, your doctor may have advised you to use a pulse oximeter.
- What is the use of a pulse oximeter?
It checks your breathing and your heart beating speed by measuring the amount of o2 in your blood.
- What is an ideal oxygen level?
The absolute o2 level is 96% to 99%, and the perfect heart rate is 50 to 90 beats per minute (bpm).
