We do not recommend using a pulse oximeter to tell if someone has COVID-19. Most people with COVID-19 infections will have normal pulse oximeter readings. Get tested if you have signs of COVID-19 or if you have been close to someone who has it. If someone has COVID-19, a pulse oximeter may help them keep watch over their health and know if they.
- Many disorders can cause lower-than-normal pulse oximeter readings, including health disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. Acute respiratory disorders such as asthma attacks, pneumonia or a blood clot in the lung also cause low pulse oximeter readings.
- The pulse oximeter shows your blood oxygen level is 94 or 93 or keeps being lower than normal.%SpO2 94%SpO2 93. Page 17 When should I ask for medical help? You feel like something is wrong. That could be: Peeing less than usual Feeling very tired You can’t do the things you normally can.
- Apr 08, 2021 Select the appropriate pulse oximeter that fits your needs. Several different types of pulse oximeters are available. The most popular are portable handheld and fingertip pulse oximeters. Portable pulse oximeters can be purchased from a wide array of stores, including drugstores like Walgreens and CVS, big-box stores like Walmart, and even online.
- The device is an FDA-approved Fingertip Pulse Oximeter that monitors SpO2 (oxygen level), PR (pulse rate), PI (perfusion index), and waveform accurately. No matter under what circumstances, at home or in the clinic, for what uses, spot checks or continuous trackings.
How does COVID-19 lower a person’s oxygen levels?
Many people with COVID-19 have low levels of oxygen in their blood, even when they feel well. Low oxygen levels can be an early warning sign that medical care is needed.
What is a pulse oximeter?
A pulse oximeter measures how much oxygen is in someone’s blood. It is a small device that clips onto a finger, or another part of the body. They are used often in hospitals and clinics and can be bought to use at home.
Many people consider oxygen level an important sign of how well a body is working, just like a person’s blood pressure or body temperature. People who have a lung or heart condition may use a pulse oximeter at home to check how they are doing, as directed by their health care provider. People can buy pulse oximeters without a prescription at some pharmacies and stores.
Can a pulse oximeter tell if someone has COVID-19 or how well they are doing if they have it?
We do not recommend using a pulse oximeter as a way to tell if someone has COVID-19. Get tested if you have signs of COVID-19 or if you have been close to someone who has it.
If someone has COVID-19, a pulse oximeter may help them keep watch over their health and to know if they need medical care. However, while a pulse oximeter may help someone feel like they have some control over their health, it does not tell the whole story. Oxygen level measured by a pulse oximeter is not the only way to know how sick someone is. Some people may feel very sick and have good oxygen levels, and some may feel OK, but have poor oxygen levels.
Pulse oximetry results may not be as accurate for people with darker skin. Their oxygen levels are sometimes reported as higher than they really are. People who check their own oxygen levels, or those who check it for them, should keep this in mind when looking at results.
Oxygen levels may be low if someone feels short of breath, is breathing faster than usual, or feels too sick to do their usual daily activities, even if a pulse oximeter says their oxygen levels are normal. Call a doctor or another health care provider right away if you have these symptoms.
What are normal readings?
A normal level of oxygen is usually 95% or higher. Some people with chronic lung disease or sleep apnea can have normal levels around 90%. The “SpO2” reading on a pulse oximeter shows the percentage of oxygen in someone’s blood.
Normal Pulse Oximeter Readings Chart
If your home SpO2 reading is lower than 95%, call your health care provider.
Normal Pulse Oximeter Reading
Your blood oxygen level indicates how much oxygen your red blood cells are carrying. High blood oxygenation plays an essential role in ensuring that your muscles, brain and other organs receive the energy they need to function properly. That’s why it’s so important to understand how to measure your current oxygen level—and determine whether it falls within an acceptable range.
Understanding Oxygen Saturation
Normal Pulse Oximeter Rates Chart
Oxygen saturation (SpO2) measures how much oxygen blood carries in comparison to its full capacity. In other words, it’s an estimation of how much oxygen the hemoglobin in your blood contains compared to how much it could contain. Pulse oximetry devices represent this measurement using a simple percentage. So if your red blood cells contain 95% oxygenated and 5% non-oxygenated hemoglobin, your SpO2 would be 95%. Simple, right?
Now, this is where things get more complicated. It’s possible (and perfectly natural) for your SpO2 to change throughout the day, particularly if you’re transitioning from low-energy to high-energy activities. However, as long as your SpO2 stays within a healthy range amidst these fluctuations, there’s no need for concern.
Changes in activity aren’t the only factors that impact oxygen saturation. There are several adverse conditions and diseases that can negatively impact SpO2, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People afflicted by these health problems often have a lower SpO2 average, necessitating the use of supplemental oxygen and other treatment methods.
Your “Normal†SpO2 Range
According to the Mayo Clinic, normal pulse oximeter readings usually range from 95 to 100 percent. Values under 90 percent are considered low, and indicate the need for supplemental oxygen. This condition is often referred to as hypoxemia, and its symptoms include severe shortness of breath, increased heart rate and chest pain.
For people with chronic lung conditions and other breathing problems, the “normal†SpO2 range of 95% to 100% doesn’t apply. These individuals should always consult with their doctor for information on acceptable oxygen levels for their unique state of health. That being said, here are a few general guidelines on SpO2 for individuals with acute respiratory issues and chronic diseases:
â— In a patient with acute respiratory illness (e.g., influenza) or breathing difficulty (e.g, an asthma attack), an SpO2 of 92% or less may indicate a need for oxygen supplementation.
â— In a patient with stable chronic disease (e.g., COPD), an SpO2 of 92% or less should prompt referral for further investigation of the need for long-term oxygen therapy.1
Measuring Your Oxygen Level
Today’s medical experts have access to a wide variety of SpO2 monitoring tools, including finger pulse oximeters. These compact, noninvasive devices attach painlessly to the fingertip and send wavelengths of light through the finger to assess SpO2 and pulse rate. Under the guidance of their physicians, people with heart and breathing problems can use personal finger pulse oximeters to manage their conditions and assess the efficacy of treatment methods. Pulse oximetry can be a useful aid in decision-making, but is not a substitute for a clinical assessment, nor sufficient for diagnosis by itself. Arterial blood gas measurements, obtained by arterial puncture, remain the gold standard for measurement of oxygen saturation.
A personal finger pulse oximeter is designed to be fast, durable and intuitive. All you have to do is place it on any finger and wait a few seconds for it to measure your current SpO2 and heart rate. However, not all pulse oximeters deliver the same level of performance and versatility. Many other brands of finger pulse oximeters are unable to perform with accuracy on patients with low perfusion or dark skin pigmentation, and can’t stand up to repeated daily use. That’s why in-home caretakers and people suffering from respiratory problems count on clinically proven self-monitoring solutions from Nonin.
Nonin Personal Finger Pulse Oximeters
Nonin invented the very first finger pulse oximeter in 1995, making pulse oximetry a viable solution for at-home patient monitoring. Our personal finger pulse oximeters are engineered for daily use in the most demanding monitoring environments, making them suitable for detecting SpO2 and adjusting oxygen flow while exercising, traveling or resting at home. Nonin pulse oximeters provide fast, reliable measurements that empower users and their physicians to make smarter, more confident healthcare decisions.
Count on Nonin for Peerless At-Home Monitoring Solutions
To learn more about Nonin and our award-winning self-monitoring oximetry devices, be sure to contact us today. We can guide you to the perfect at-home monitoring solution for your specific needs.