Low and normal blood oxygen levels:

What to know
Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, MD on January 28, 2020 — Written by Joana
Cavaco Silva

Measuring blood oxygen levels Normal and low levels Symptoms

Causes Seeing a doctor Treatment Outlook

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How this works.

Blood oxygen level is the amount of oxygen circulating in

the blood. Most of the oxygen is carried by red blood
cells, which collect oxygen from the lungs and deliver it
to all parts of the body.

The body closely monitors blood oxygen levels to keep them within a
specific range, so that there is enough oxygen for the needs of every cell
in the body.

A person’s blood oxygen level is an indicator of how well the body

distributes oxygen from the lungs to the cells, and it can be important for
people’s health.
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How is blood oxygen level measured?

Blood oxygen levels may be measured using a pulse oximeter.

The most efficient way to monitor blood oxygen levels is by an arterial

blood gas or ABG test. For this test, a blood sample is taken from an
artery, usually in the wrist. This procedure is very accurate, but it can be a
little painful.

An ABG test can be difficult to do at home, so a person may wish to do an

alternative test, using a small device known as a pulse oximeter.

A pulse oximeter is a small clip that is often put on a finger, although it

can also be used on the ear or toe. It measures blood oxygen indirectly
by light absorption through a person’s pulse.

Although the pulse oximeter test is easier, quicker, and not painful, it is
not as accurate as the ABG test. This is because it can be influenced by
factors such as dirty fingers, bright lights, nail polish, and poor circulation
to the extremities.

For people who wish to purchase a pulse oximeter, there is a range of

easy-to-use devices available online. 
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Normal and low blood oxygen levels

A normal blood oxygen level varies between 75 and 100 millimeters of
mercury (mm Hg).

A blood oxygen level below 60 mm Hg is considered low and may

require oxygen supplementation, depending on a doctor’s decision and
the individual case.

When blood oxygen level is too low compared to the average level of a
healthy person, it can be a sign of a condition known as hypoxemia. This
means that the body has difficulty delivering oxygen to all of its cells,
tissues, and organs.
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Symptoms of low blood oxygen levels

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Shortness of breath and a rapid heartbeat are potential symptoms of low blood oxygen
levels.

Low blood oxygen levels can result in abnormal circulation and cause the
following symptoms:

shortness of breath

headache

restlessness
dizziness

rapid breathing

chest pain
confusion

high blood pressure

lack of coordination
visual disorders

sense of euphoria

rapid heartbeat

Causes
Hypoxemia, or oxygen levels below the normal values, may be caused by:

not enough oxygen in the air

inability of the lungs to inhale and send oxygen to all cells and
tissues

inability of the bloodstream to circulate to the lungs, collect oxygen,

and transport it around the body

Several medical conditions and situations can contribute to the above

factors, including:

asthma
heart diseases, including congenital heart disease 
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high altitude
 anemia

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD

interstitial lung disease

emphysema

acute respiratory distress syndrome or ARDS

pneumonia
obstruction of an artery in the lung, for instance, due to a blood clot

pulmonary fibrosis or scarring and damage to the lungs

presence of air or gas in the chest that makes the lungs collapse
excess fluid in the lungs

sleep apnea where breathing is interrupted during sleep

certain medications, including some narcotics and painkillers

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When to see a doctor

People should see a doctor if they:

experience severe and sudden shortness of breath

experience shortness of breath when at rest

have severe shortness of breath that worsens during exercise or
physical activity

wake suddenly with shortness of breath or a feeling of choking

are at high Aaltitude

D V E R T I S E M (above
ENT 8,000 feet or 2,400 meters) and 

experience severe shortness of breath with a cough, rapid

 heartbeat, and fluid retention

Treatment

Quitting smoking and avoiding areas where others are smoking may help to improve low
blood oxygen levels.

Treatment for low blood oxygen levels includes receiving supplemental

oxygen. This can be done at home when it is called home oxygen therapy
or HOT.

There is a range of devices for delivering and monitoring HOT, but some
of them are considered medications and need a prescription.

Some self-care measures can be taken by people to reduce symptoms of

shortness of breath and improve general health and quality of life. These
include:

quitting smoking
avoiding passive smoking in places where others smoke
eating a healthful diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables

exercising Aregularly
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Outlook
Low oxygen levels in the blood are not necessarily harmful and can occur
in people who can recover, or in healthy people when they are at high
altitude. These people do not need to monitor their blood oxygen levels
regularly.

But people with chronic lung diseases, such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis,
or emphysema, may have blood oxygen levels below the normal because
of their illness. These people may require regular blood oxygen
monitoring.

People with low blood oxygen can also make lifestyle changes, such as
not smoking or improving their diet and exercise habits, as well as being
treated with supplemental oxygen.

Respiratory Blood / Hematology

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