What is a pulse oximeter?

Introduction

Pulse oximeters have become increasingly popular over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But what exactly is a pulse oximeter, and how does it work? In this blog, we'll answer these questions and more.

What is a pulse oximeter?

A pulse oximeter is a small electronic device measuring oxygen saturation in a person's blood. It's a non-invasive way to monitor how well oxygen is transported from the lungs to the rest of the body. Pulse oximeters including a fingertip pulse oximeter, and handheld pulse oximeter can also measure a person's heart rate.

How does a pulse oximeter work?

A pulse oximeter works by shining a light through a person's finger or earlobe. The light passes through the skin and into the blood vessels. Oxygenated and deoxygenated blood absorbs different amounts of light, so the pulse oximeter can calculate the oxygen saturation in the blood by comparing the amount of light absorbed.

When should you use a pulse oximeter?

Pulse oximeters are commonly used in hospitals and doctor's offices to monitor patients with respiratory or cardiovascular issues. They can also be used at home by people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or other respiratory conditions. Additionally, pulse oximeters have become popular among athletes and hikers to monitor their oxygen levels at high altitudes.

What do the readings mean?

The oxygen saturation reading on a pulse oximeter is expressed as a percentage. A healthy person's oxygen saturation level should be between 95-100%. If the reading is below 90%, it may indicate that the person is not getting enough oxygen and should seek medical attention.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a pulse oximeter is a small electronic device that measures the oxygen saturation in a person's blood. It's a non-invasive way to monitor how well oxygen is being transported from the lungs to the rest of the body. Pulse oximeters are commonly used in hospitals and doctor's offices to monitor patients with respiratory or cardiovascular issues, and can also be used at home by people with chronic respiratory conditions. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, pulse oximeters have become increasingly popular for monitoring oxygen levels at home.