Covid-19 cases in India are on the rise again, especially in metro cities like Delhi, Bangalore, though Mumbai is seeing a decline. During such a time, you should always be prepared to take care of yourself at home should you get infected with the Covid-19 virus.
Among a number of things you can do at home to take care of yourself during infection is using a pulse oximeter to determine your blood oxygen levels and heart rate. However, it is necessary to know the correct steps to get an accurate reading on your oximeter. Here are a few steps you can take to get reliable, accurate ratings. These recommendations come via the Indian Council for Medical Research.
Positioning
Try to use the oximeter in an upright sitting position if possible. This will ensure that your heart rate and blood oxygen ratings are accurate as there is no irregular flow of blood in your body in a relaxed position. Use your index finger of either hand if possible and make sure your fingers don’t have any nail polish, pigments, or deformity that can affect the reading of the oximeter.
Begin taking the reading by placing your index finger inside the oximeter, with your fingernail facing upwards. This means that the display of the oximeter will be facing upwards as well. Make sure your hand is in a steady position, and there is no movement to affect the rating.
Preparing the oximeter
Make sure your oximeter is clean and free of dirt and dust before use. If the Covid-infected patient has still not used the oximeter, a fit friend or family member can check it to determine if the readings look alright. Note that it is unwise to do so after giving the oximeter to an infected person as this could increase the chances of spreading the virus.
It is also a good idea to make sure the sensor on your oximeter is clean before every reading so provide the infected patient with a microfiber cloth to keep the meter clean.
Taking the reading
To ensure that your oximeter delivers an accurate reading, allow the device to stabilise for a whole minute before recording your readings. Make sure that you do not press the device while it is in the process of taking a reading.
You should avoid taking oximeter readings under a direct source of bright light like sunlight as this can affect the sensor’s accuracy and give you a false reading. The oximeter’s values may also be affected by other factors like shivering so make sure you’re completely still and relaxed while doing so.
What the readings mean
A normal resting heart rate for humans can be between 60 and 100 beats per minute. It is a good idea to know what your normal heart-rate usually is so you have something to compare. If you see abnormally low or high readings on the oximeter, do not panic and contact your family or doctor immediately.
The same procedure should be followed for the oxygen saturation readings. If your blood oxygen level is above 95 on the oximeter, you’re safe. However, if the oxygen percentage starts dropping below 93 per cent, then you should inform your family member or doctor of the same so that timely action can be taken.
We measure blood oxygen levels in our bodies to ensure that everything is working as it should be. Your blood oxygen levels indicate the amount of oxygen that your red blood cells are carrying around your body, if the levels dip too low you can become unwell.
What can affect my oxygen levels?
There are various factors that can affect the levels of oxygen in your body, some are ongoing conditions, such as emphysema or lung damage, and some are more circumstantial, such as having a chest infection, or being at a high altitude.
How can you measure blood oxygen levels?
There are two main ways to measure oxygen levels in the blood – taking a sample of blood from your body with a needle (usually in the wrist or the earlobe), or using a pulse oximeter.
You can use a Finger Pulse Oximeter to measure your blood oxygen at home – see below.
What does my Sp02 reading mean?
Click here or enter your readings below:
Reasons that blood oxygen saturation can drop include:
- Suffocation
- Choking
- Infections and viruses, such as pneumonia or Coronavirus (COVID19)
- Drowning
- Diseases, including emphysema, lung cancer, and COPD
- Heart failure or an ongoing heart condition
- Stroke
- Allergic reactions
- Sleep Apnea
- Being put under a general anaesthetic
Can I check my blood oxygen (SP02) levels at home?
Yes! Using a Finger Pulse Oximeter, which is a small device that is attached to your finger to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood travelling round your body. The Oximeter takes an SpO2 reading – an estimation of the amount of oxygen in your blood. Find out how to use a pulse oximeter.
Oxygen is carried around your body in your red blood cells by a molecule called haemoglobin. A finger pulse oximeter measures how much oxygen the haemoglobin in your blood is carrying. This is called the oxygen saturation and is a percentage (scored out of 100).
What is a normal blood oxygen level?
An SpO2 reading of 96% or more is generally considered to be a normal oxygen level. An SpO2 reading of 92% or less could indicate that your blood is poorly saturated. Insufficient saturation can cause issues such as chest pain, shortness of breath and increased heart rate.
Oxygen levels of 92% or less are considered abnormally low and usually would be classed as a medical emergency. Please seek urgent medical attention if your levels are this low, or have dropped 5% compared to your usual baseline, eg by attending A&E or ringing 999 immediately.
Who should be most concerned about their blood oxygen levels?
People who suffer from a lung condition, such as COPD may need to monitor their SpO2 levels more often as they may have a lower blood oxygen level than a healthier person. Monitoring levels can help detect problems.
People suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma, or cardiovascular conditions may also benefit from more regular monitoring of their blood oxygen levels for the same reasons.
If you are thought to be suffering from an infection or virus such as pneumonia or the most recent Coronavirus outbreak, you will have your blood oxygen levels tested and monitored. This is to help determine the severity of the infection, and to monitor your oxygen levels if you may need or are receiving treatment. See more about what happens when you are tested for Coronavirus in this video.