Oxygen saturation, measured by either ABG (arterial blood gas) or pulse oximetry, is considered normal when it is 95 percent or above. Values of 90 or less indicate the need for supplemental oxygen. Usually, a 6-minute-walk test will determine further if oxygen is needed.
How well or how poorly we breathe is affected by:
- cardiovascular health
- level of conditioning (or deconditioning)
- medications
- emotional state
- weather
- and, other factors
Sometimes, our pulse oximetry says we're good, but we feel SOB. Then, we need to stop what we're doing, assume the position (make a triangular frame with arms outstretched and supporting you) and do PLB (pursed-lip breathing). If you need to, take an inhaler - for me, it would be 2 puffs of ventolin.
Supplemental oxygen, if the readings are good, will not help this kind of SOB.
If the ABG and pulse oximeter say that oxygen levels are low? TAKE THE OXYGEN!
'Hypoxia, even in the absence of significant shortness of breath, increases your risk of coronary insufficiency/ischemia, arrhythmia, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure, among other potential hazards to your health'.
My pulse oximeter looks like this.
How often to measure our oxygen?
More frequently at the start - until familiar with what our needs are, and what our readings are at rest and during activity.
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