What is considered a normal blood oxygen level

Why should I measure blood oxygen levels?

We measure blood oxygen levels in our bodies to ensure that everything is working as it should be. Your blood oxygen levels indicate the amount of oxygen that your red blood cells are carrying around your body, if the levels dip too low you can become unwell.

What can affect my oxygen levels?

There are various factors that can affect the levels of oxygen in your body, some are ongoing conditions, such as emphysema or lung damage, and some are more circumstantial, such as having a chest infection, or being at a high altitude.

How can you measure blood oxygen levels?

There are two main ways to measure oxygen levels in the blood – taking a sample of blood from your body with a needle (usually in the wrist or the earlobe), or using a pulse oximeter.

You can use a Finger Pulse Oximeter to measure your blood oxygen at home – see below.

What does my Sp02 reading mean?

Click here or enter your readings below:

Reasons that blood oxygen saturation can drop include:

• Suffocation
• Choking
• Infections and viruses, such as pneumonia or Coronavirus (COVID19)
• Drowning
• Diseases, including emphysema, lung cancer, and COPD
• Heart failure or an ongoing heart condition
• Stroke
• Allergic reactions
• Sleep Apnea
• Being put under a general anaesthetic

Can I check my blood oxygen (SP02) levels at home?

Yes!  Using a Finger Pulse Oximeter, which is a small device that is attached to your finger to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood travelling round your body.  The Oximeter takes an SpO2 reading – an estimation of the amount of oxygen in your blood. Find out how to use a pulse oximeter.

Oxygen is carried around your body in your red blood cells by a molecule called haemoglobin. A finger pulse oximeter measures how much oxygen the haemoglobin in your blood is carrying. This is called the oxygen saturation and is a percentage (scored out of 100).

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An SpO2 reading of 96% or more is generally considered to be a normal oxygen level. An SpO2 reading of 92% or less could indicate that your blood is poorly saturated.  Insufficient saturation can cause issues such as chest pain, shortness of breath and increased heart rate.

Oxygen levels of 92% or less are considered abnormally low and usually would be classed as a medical emergency. Please seek urgent medical attention if your levels are this low, or have dropped 5% compared to your usual baseline, eg by attending A&E or ringing 999 immediately.

Who should be most concerned about their blood oxygen levels?

People who suffer from a lung condition, such as COPD may need to monitor their SpO2 levels more often as they may have a lower blood oxygen level than a healthier person.  Monitoring levels can help detect problems.

People suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma, or cardiovascular conditions may also benefit from more regular monitoring of their blood oxygen levels for the same reasons.

If you are thought to be suffering from an infection or virus such as pneumonia or the most recent Coronavirus outbreak, you will have your blood oxygen levels tested and monitored.  This is to help determine the severity of the infection, and to monitor your oxygen levels if you may need or are receiving treatment.  See more about what happens when you are tested for Coronavirus in this video.

The Kinetik Approved Finger Pulse Oximeter

The Kinetik Approved Finger Pulse Oximeter is a compact device that makes taking an SP02 reading at home very quick and easy.  This Oximeter is a certified class lla medical device that can be safely used in or out of your home to check your blood oxygen levels and pulse rate. It comes with a handy lanyard and batteries for portable and convenient use and is ultra-simple to set up.

Understanding Oxygen Saturation

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:
● 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.
● 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.