A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device that measures blood oxygen saturation levels in your blood along with your pulse rate or heart rate. These lightweight monitors are easy to use, even in the comfort of your own home. With continuous monitoring of the amount of oxygen in your blood, you can keep track of how certain situations like exercising can impact your overall oxygen saturation.
Individuals who have COPD, lung disease, or other respiratory issues find pulse oximetry extremely helpful as they can closely track oxygen saturation levels during activities and then adjust as needed. For these individuals, it’s crucial that each reading is accurate especially when performing strenuous activities that can greatly affect a person’s oxygen saturation levels.
Pulse oximetry uses an oxygen monitor device that consists of a sensor attached to the person’s finger, ear lobe, or toe that is linked to a processing unit that delivers a read-out. It functions by having small beams of light scan your finger (or other location where it’s attached) which returns a measurement of your blood oxygen levels. This device can rapidly alert you to any changes that occur to your blood oxygen saturation levels. The calculation on the screen will show you the percentage of oxygen in your blood while also displaying your pulse rate.
There are a few different types of pulse oximeters that can be used for a number of different purposes. If your physician wishes for your oxygen levels to be at a certain point, it is recommended to get an oxygen monitor with an alarm so that you are alerted anytime your oxygen saturation levels fall below a certain point, usually around 90%. You can also set an alarm to go off if your heart rate reaches a very low or very high level. Finger pulse oximeters are the most common type as they can easily be placed on a person’s finger to measure pulse and levels of oxygen saturation in the blood.
When looking for a device that accurately measures oxygen saturation, it’s first important to note that there are outside variables that can throw off measurements. Nail polish is the most notable substance that can affect your readings. Keep this in mind if wearing nail polish when using your oxygen level monitor. Our team can coach you on how to take accurate readings with your continuous oxygen monitoring device along with the proper way to use it in a home setting.
