A pulse oximeter is a small and non-invasive device that has the power to unravel a treasure trove of information about your health. It’s like a window into the inner workings of your body, giving you an instant snapshot of how well your heart and lungs are functioning. This little gadget, no bigger than your thumb, is capable of measuring your blood oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate, two critical indicators of your overall health.
Whether you’re an athlete pushing yourself to the limit, a new parent monitoring your baby’s breathing, or just someone looking to stay on top of your wellness, a pulse oximeter is a valuable tool that can help you do just that. So, if you’re ready to take control of your health and discover what your body has to say, let’s dive into the world of pulse oximeters, Also if you are looking for a complete guide for the readings of pulse oximeters check out our article on How To Read Pulse Oximeter.
Before we learn about what a pulse oximeter measures, we have to know what is a pulse oximeter, why it is used, and what is the purpose of measurement and readings, so, without any further ado, let’s move on.
What Are Pulse Oximeters – An Overview
Pulse oximeters are handheld devices that measure the amount of oxygen in your blood, also known as your blood oxygen saturation level (SpO2), and your pulse rate. They work by emitting a small amount of light into the capillaries of your fingers and then measuring the amount of light absorbed by your red blood cells. The higher the saturation level, the more oxygen is being carried by your red blood cells to the rest of your body. A usual saturation level is normally 95% to 100%.
Pulse oximeters are commonly used in healthcare settings to monitor the breathing and cardiac function of patients, especially those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. They are also useful for athletes who want to monitor their oxygen levels during physical activity, or for individuals who want to monitor their own health at home.
Pulse oximeters are tiny, transferable, and easy to use. They come in various shapes and sizes, but most have a display screen that shows your pulse rate and saturation level. They are usually attached to the fingertip, earlobe, or forehead, and the process of measuring your oxygen levels takes just a few seconds.
Overall, pulse oximeters are non-invasive, convenient, and highly accurate tools that can help you monitor your health and well-being. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, an athlete, or just someone looking to stay on top of your health, a pulse oximeter is a valuable tool that can help you do just that.
What Does A Pulse Oximeter Measure?
A pulse oximeter measures two important health parameters: blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) and pulse rate.
Blood O2 Saturation
This measurement represents the quantity of hemoglobin available in the blood that sustains oxygen. A normal saturation level is typically between 95% and 100%, and anything below 90% may indicate that you have low blood oxygen levels, also known as hypoxia.
Pulse Rate
A pulse oximeter also measures the rate of the pulse, which shows how many times your heart beats per minute. This measurement can help you monitor the rate of your heart and detect any changes in your cardiac function.
The pulse oximeter works by emitting a small amount of light into the capillaries of your fingers (or earlobe, or forehead) and then measuring the amount of light absorbed by your red blood cells. The device then calculates your blood oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate based on the amount of light absorbed. The process is quick, non-invasive, and painless.
A pulse oximeter provides important information about your heart and lung function by measuring your blood oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate. This information can help you or your doctor assess your health, detect changes in your condition, and make informed decisions about your treatment.
Why Might We Need Pulse Oximeters?
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. There are several reasons why you might need to use a pulse oximeter:
Respiratory and Cardiovascular Conditions: If you have a respiratory or cardiovascular condition, such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, or pneumonia, monitoring your blood oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate can be critical. A pulse oximeter can help your doctor assess your condition and determine if supplemental oxygen is needed.
Physical Activity: Athletes and physically active individuals can use pulse oximeters to monitor their oxygen levels during physical activity. A drop in oxygen levels can be an indicator of fatigue, over-exertion, or high-altitude sickness.
Sleep Apnea: People with sleep apnea, may also use pulse oximeters to monitor their oxygen levels during sleep. A drop in oxygen levels during sleep can be a sign of sleep apnea.
Home Monitoring: Pulse oximeters can be used at home to monitor your health and detect any changes in your oxygen levels. This could be very useful for people with chronic conditions or those recovering from illness or surgery.
Travel: If you’re traveling to a high-altitude location, you may also need to use a pulse oximeter. High altitude can affect the amount of oxygen in your blood, and a pulse oximeter can help you monitor your oxygen levels and avoid altitude sickness.
Overall, pulse oximeters are a valuable tool for tracking health and safety. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, an athlete, or just someone looking to stay on top of your health, a pulse oximeter can help you keep tabs on your oxygen levels and pulse rate, and help you make informed decisions about your health.
What Are The Hazards Of Using Pulse Oximeters?
Pulse oximeters are generally considered safe and non-invasive devices. However, there are a few potential risks to keep in mind:
Accuracy: Although pulse oximeters are usually accurate, the readings can be influenced by factors such as skin color, nail polish, and cold fingers. In some cases, readings may also be affected by movement or low blood flow.
False Alarms: In rare cases, pulse oximeters may produce false alarms or readings, which can cause unnecessary anxiety or lead to incorrect treatment decisions.
Electromagnetic Interference: Some pulse oximeters can be affected by electromagnetic interference from other health gadgets, like defibrillators or pacemakers.
Battery Life: Pulse oximeters are powered by batteries, and the battery life can vary depending on the device. If the battery runs out, you might not be able to track readings.
It’s important to note that these potential risks can be minimized by using a high-quality, FDA-approved pulse oximeter, and by following the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Before using a pulse oximeter, it’s considerable to consult with your medical professional to ensure it’s appropriate for your needs.
Other Things You Need To Know About Pulse Oximetery
As pulse oximetery is a medical procedure, you need to take care of its sensitivity. This is why it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using the pulse oximeter and to make sure that you’re using a high-quality, FDA-approved device. If you have any questions about using a pulse oximeter, or if you experience any problems while using one, you should contact your doctor immediately.
The procedure for using a pulse oximeter is generally quick and simple, and typically involves the following steps:
- Choose a finger or an earlobe: Most pulse oximeters are designed to be placed on the finger, but some models can also be placed on the earlobe or the forehead.
- Clean and dry the area: Clean and dry the area where the pulse oximeter will be placed, as moisture can affect the readings.
- Place the pulse oximeter: Place the pulse oximeter on the chosen finger (or earlobe, or forehead), making sure that it is securely in place and that the light sensors are in good contact with your skin.
- Wait for the readings: The pulse oximeter will emit a small amount of light into your capillaries and then measure the amount of light absorbed by your red blood cells. This process takes only a few seconds, and the device will display your blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) and pulse rate.
- Record the readings: Record the readings, either by writing them down or using a digital app or device that can store the data.
- Remove the pulse oximeter: After taking the readings, gently remove the pulse oximeter from your finger (or earlobe, or forehead).
What Is The Meaning Of Certain Pulse Oximeter Readings?
Pulse oximetry tests determine blood o2 levels and they are the most precise. This is generally true while using high-quality gadgets, as is common in medical offices 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 your blood must carry o2. This is the level of o2 saturation essential to keep the cells healthy. Having an oxygen saturation that is temporarily lower than this level may not cause any harm. However, repeated or consistent instances of low oxygen saturation levels may be harmful.
For most healthy people, an oxygen saturation level of 96% or above is considered normal. A level of 95% is considered acceptable but needed to be monitored regularly at home. A level of 93% to 94% indicates that you have to seek advice from your general physician and, 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 affected by several factors, like 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.
What’s The Accuracy Of Pulse Oximeters Readings?
Pulse oximeters are generally considered to be very accurate, but the accuracy of the readings can be affected by several factors, including the quality of the device, the placement of the device, and the patient’s individual characteristics.
The accuracy of pulse oximeters is generally between ±2% and ±3% for readings between 70% and 100% SpO2. This means that the readings may be off by a few percentage points, but are still considered to be within an acceptable range. However, accuracy can be affected by factors such as low perfusion, movement, and ambient light, which can cause the readings to be less accurate.
In general, pulse oximeters with better-quality sensors and signal processing capabilities tend to have better accuracy compared to cheaper, lower-quality devices. It’s important to purchase a high-quality, FDA-approved pulse oximeter to ensure the most accurate readings.
It’s also important to make sure that the device is properly placed and that the sensors are in good contact with the skin to obtain accurate readings. This is especially important for patients with low perfusion, such as those with cold hands, poor circulation, or heart disease.
What Happens After Pulse Oximeters Test?
Unless you are in the hospital for another reason, you can go home after the test, and if you have performed the test at home then just take the readings and consult it with your health consultant. You may resume your regular diet and activities as directed by your healthcare provider. Following the procedure, your healthcare provider may give you additional instructions.
Benefits And Drawbacks Of Pulse Oximeters?
Compared to traditional methods of measuring blood oxygen levels, pulse oximetry has numerous advantages. Traditional methods typically involve drawing a sample of arterial blood a potentially painful experience for patients that takes at least 15 minutes to analyze blood samples whereas pulse oximetry is noninvasive and provides near-instant readings. Furthermore, pulse oximeters can be used continuously, allowing for long-term monitoring of a person’s blood oxygen levels.
However, pulse oximetry is less precise than other methods, such as arterial blood gas testing. Furthermore, it does not provide as much information on other blood gases (for example, carbon dioxide) as tests that directly measure blood do.
Summary
In conclusion, the answer to what a pulse oximeter measure is; a pulse oximeter is a non-invasive medical device that measures the oxygen saturation levels in your blood and your pulse rate. These readings provide important information about your heart and lung function and can help you and your doctor assess your health and detect changes in your condition.
A pulse oximeter works by shining a light through the skin and measuring the amount of light that is absorbed, which is then used to calculate your oxygen saturation levels and pulse rate. Normal blood oxygen saturation levels are typically between 95% and 100%, while a normal pulse rate is typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
The accuracy of pulse oximeter readings can be affected by several factors, including the quality of the device, the placement of the device, and the patient’s individual characteristics. To obtain the most accurate readings, it’s important to use a high-quality, FDA-approved pulse oximeter and to make sure that the device is properly placed and that the sensors are in good contact with the skin.
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 purpose of a pulse oximeter?
It checks how well you are breathing and how fast your heart is beating by measuring the amount of oxygen in your blood.
- What is an ideal oxygen level?
The ideal oxygen level is 96% to 99%, and the ideal heart rate is 50 to 90 beats per minute (bpm).
