The measurement of your blood oxygen is called the oxygen saturation level. In medical terms, you may hear called PaO2 when using a blood gas and SpO2 when using a pulse oximeter. These guidelines will help you understand what your result could mean:
what is your normal oxygen level in your body?
Normal oxygen saturation
A normal oxygen level for healthy lungs is between 80 and 100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). If an oximeter measured your SpO2 blood oxygen level, a normal reading is usually between 95 and 100 percent.
In lung diseases, these ranges may not apply. Your doctor will tell you what is normal for your specific condition. For example, it is not uncommon for people with severe COPD to keep their pulse oxygenated (SpO2) levels between 88 and 92 percent.
Minimum oxygen level
Below normal
A blood oxygen level below normal is called hypoxemia. Hypoxemia is often a cause for concern. The lower the oxygen level, the more severe the hypoxemia. This can lead to complications in the body’s tissues and organs.
Typically, a PaO2 reading below 80 mm Hg or heart rate (SpO2) readings below 95 percent is considered low. It is important to know what is normal for you, especially if you have chronic lung disease.
Your doctor can give you recommendations on what ranges of oxygen levels are acceptable for you.
What is normal oxygen saturation?
Your blood oxygen level is a measure of how much oxygen your red blood cells carry. Your body closely regulates your blood oxygen level. Maintaining the precise balance of oxygen-saturated blood is vital to your health.
Most children and adults do not need to monitor their blood oxygen level. In fact, many doctors will not check it unless it shows signs of a problem, such as shortness of breath or chest pain.
However, people with chronic diseases need to monitor their blood oxygen level. This includes asthma, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
In these cases, monitoring your blood oxygen level can help determine if treatments are working or should be adjusted.
Oximeter readings normal range
Can a pulse oximeter tell if someone is sick?
A pulse oximeter can help you monitor your health and know if you need medical attention. However, while a pulse oximeter can help someone feel like they have some control over their health, it doesn’t tell the whole story.
The oxygen level measured with 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 fine, but have low oxygen levels.
Pulse oximetry results may not be as accurate for people with darker skin. Your oxygen levels are sometimes reported to be higher than they actually are. People who monitor their own oxygen levels, or those who monitor them, should keep this in mind when viewing results.
Oxygen levels can be low if someone feels short of breath, breathes faster than usual, or feels too ill to do their usual daily activities, even if a pulse oximeter indicates that their oxygen levels are normal. Call a doctor or other healthcare provider right away if you have these symptoms.
Symptoms of low oxygen levels
Symptoms of hypoxemia vary depending on the severity of the condition. They include:
- Headache
- Difficulty breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Cough
- Confusion
- Bluish color in skin, nails and lips.
For people who wish to purchase a pulse oximeter, there is a range of easy-to-use devices available online.
Blood oxygen level
Your blood oxygen level is measured as a percentage, 95 to 100 percent is considered normal. If oxygen levels are below 88 percent, that is a cause for concern.
A healthy adult takes between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. But we should actually all take a much lower number of breaths – around 6-8 breaths per minute.
We have here listed 5 important ways for more oxygen: Get fresh air, drink water, eat iron-rich foods, exercise, train your breathing.
Pulse Oximeter
The use of medical devices such as pulse oximeters has increased dramatically in recent years. Brands, questions, and more.
SpO2 normal range by age Chart
This reading chart provides guidance on what oxygen level means and when and how to seek medical help.
Normal oxygen saturation by age
Human beings depend on oxygen for life. All organs require oxygen for metabolism but the brain and heart are particularly sensitive to a lack of oxygen.