Pulse oximeters are
devices that are typically slipped onto the finger to read a persons
heart rate and measure oxygen blood levels. They may also be slipped
onto the toes, nose or earlobes. A Pulse Oximeter works by shining an
infrared light through your body tissue onto a photo sensor. This
light can judge how much haemoglobin in your body is carrying oxygen.
So you clip the pulse oximeter on your finger and a reading a flashes
up on the display screen, but what does this reading mean?
Sp02 Levels
The Sp02 reading display
on the screen refers to your oxygen blood saturation levels. A
healthy Sp02 level is between 95 and 99%. If you suffer from a mild
respiratory condition, your Sp02 level should be at least 90%
upwards. If your reading is lower than 95% and you do not have a
diagnosed respiratory condition, you need to visit a doctor, as it
may be an indication that you may be suffering from hypoxia, a
condition which requires observation and treatment.
Heart/Pulse Rates
A
pulse oximeter will also display a heart rate reading. Healthy heart
rate readings depend on your age. For elderly persons over the age of
70, a heart rate in the region of 90 beats per minute is considered a
normal level. A healthy pulse rate for adults aged 18-70 falls
anywhere between 60 and 80 beats per minute. For children, heart
rates of 60-120 are considered normal, while for small babies a
normal heart rate is 120 to 150 beats per minute.
Not satisfied with your
reading? There are a couple of factors that can affect your reading
making it inaccurate. Be sure to sit still while your reading is
taken. Seizures, shock, anemia or extreme cold can deter a reading.
Even wearing nail varnish on your fingers (if the Pulse Oximeter is
clipped on your finger) can disturb the readings causing inaccuracy
in the results displayed.
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