Oxygen Saturation Info
Oxygen saturation (SpO2) is a vital sign used to assess a person’s overall health. It measures the percentage of oxygen that red blood cells are transporting from the lungs to the rest of the body. Normal SpO2 levels for healthy individuals range from 95-100%. For those with chronic conditions or lung diseases, it may be lower than 95%.
A reduced level of oxygen in the blood is known as hypoxemia. An Oxygen Saturation level below 90% is generally considered hypoxemia. Hypoxemia can result from chronic pulmonary diseases (such as COPD, COVID-19, asthma, lung fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension), heart failure, sleep apnea, anemia, high-altitude exposure, and medications that suppress breathing.
Symptoms of hypoxemia may include headache, rapid heart rate, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, confusion, and bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes (cyanosis). Athletes also monitor SpO2 levels to determine if altitude or performance is affecting their oxygen levels.
Athletes can also monitor oxygen saturation levels to determine if a decrease in performance is due to altitude changes or other factors affecting their ability.
If you suspect your Oxygen Saturation is low, consult a doctor about your symptoms. They can help determine what is normal for your specific condition
