What Is a Dangerous Oxygen Level?
If you have COPD or another chronic lung condition, it is important to understand blood oxygen saturation level to ensure your health and safety. You must maintain healthy levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen within the blood to keep your body working properly. The heart and brain are two of the most important organs in the body and need the most oxygen to maintain healthy function. Without enough oxygen, brain cells will begin to die and heart disease will develop.
What Is a Normal Oxygen Level?
For a person with healthy lungs and normal breathing a blood oxygen level of 95%-100% is normal. For someone with moderate to severe COPD a blood oxygen level of 92%-88% is okay. Any level 88% or lower is risky and can lead to complications and hospital care is essential at 84% or lower. Once the level drops to 80% or lower, vital organs are threatened and immediate medical care is required.
Hypoxemia & Hypoxia
Low blood oxygen saturation or hypoxemia can lead to hypoxia or low oxygen in the tissues. Early signs of hypoxemia include anxiety and restlessness, tachycardia (high heart rate), tachypnea (rapid breathing), shortness of breath, headaches, coughing, and confusion. Severe symptoms may begin if the body remains starved of oxygen. These late stage symptoms can include bradycardia (low heart rate), chest pain, cyanosis (discoloration of skin, nails, and lips), and loss of consciousness. If you experience any of these symptoms it is important to seek medical assistance.
Importance of Pulse Oximeters
If you live with a chronic lung condition, it is important that you know how to check your blood oxygen saturation level if symptoms of hypoxemia or hypoxia begin. A handheld pulse oximeter is a convenient tool that will allow you to have the freedom to live without worry. A pulse oximeter is a small device, usually about 2 inches, that reads your heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. Place it on your fingertip and the screen will update your levels in real time. A handheld pulse oximeter is quick, easy, and discreet making it the perfect tool to give you peace of mind.
Normal Dips in Oxygen Saturation
There are some instances in which a dip in your oxygen saturation level may be normal and not a cause for panic. Exercise often causes a slight dip in oxygen saturation due to muscles consuming more oxygen during exertion. Higher altitudes can also cause lower saturation due to less available oxygen at higher altitudes. If levels do not return to normal after these activities seek medical attention.
At Home Treatment (Mildly Low Saturation)
If your oxygen saturation is mildly low, you may be able to resolve the issue without medical intervention. If your saturation is dangerously low or does not improve, seek medical attention immediately.
-Sitting upright instead of lying down can help your lungs to expand more, bringing in more oxygen.
-Getting fresh air or moving indoors to avoid extreme heat or cold
-Cough to clear mucus that may be blocking your airways
-Take slow deep breaths to improve oxygen intake
