As the first year of 2020 rolls to a close, many of us are thinking about the decade ahead and our personal health and fitness. With many potential threats on the horizon, making sure you are protected and able to respond to issues can feel incredibly vital – especially in the context of the recent pandemic.
So, what exactly what role does your blood oxygen level in personal health and why is it potentially more important to track than ever before?
What is your blood oxygen level?
As the name suggests, your blood oxygen saturation level tracks the percentage of oxygen currently present in your bloodstream throughout your body. A healthy value is in the high to mid 90’s, with levels in the low 90 percentiles potentially proving to be a point of concern.
The amount of oxygen in your blood is essential when it comes to healthy operation, with low values carrying a risk of hypoxia or hypoxemia. Even lowered but ‘safe’ levels can carry a risk of fatigue, placing increased pressure on your respiratory system, or prove to be a marker for any number of underlying issues.
How is it measured?
Thankfully, your blood oxygen level is quick and simple to collect using a device known as a blood pulse oximeter. These small units painlessly attach to your fingertip and use a beam of light to track the levels of light absorption in your skin. This is then delivered as a percentage value and allows you to get a reading within seconds of the device being applied.
While these are used in a number of hospital settings, the device can also be picked up by individuals shopping online. These can be picked up from reliable providers or sites such as eBay or Amazon. However, it is vital that you take the time to ensure that any model you pick up has been professionally made, is under warranty, and not a counterfeit unit.
Why is it so important?
With COVID 19 at the forefront of everyone’s minds, more and more individuals and professionals are looking to blood pulse oximeters as a way to monitor patient health or spot worrying symptoms in a way that is physically noticeable.
While studies are ongoing, many individuals are using blood pulse oximeters as a way to track their health and spot if there are issues with low blood oxygen saturation. Picking up a unit can allow you to check your SPO2 levels quickly and regularly and ensure that they are a healthy level. Many devices also allow you to measure and track your pulse, letting you ensure that you are not adversely affected and take informed action if your health is a potential concern.
By Helen Bell