Normal blood oxygen levels mean there is enough oxygen in your red blood cells to keep vital organs and tissues working properly. You can easily check your blood oxygen levels with an oximeter, which provides readings in units of SpO2, a measure of oxygen saturation, usually a level Normal blood oxygen for a healthy adult or child is around 95% to 100% SpO2.
According to an insider report, when a SpO2 reading drops to the 90s or lower, it can lead to a condition called hypoxia, which means low levels of oxygen in the blood can damage the brain, heart, and, in severe cases, fatal.
There are infections and chronic health conditions that may reduce blood oxygen levels to dangerously low levels.
Causes and symptoms of low blood oxygen levels
Some of the most common causes of hypoxemia are heart and lung disease, including heart disease, sleep apnea, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and coronavirus.
For some people, such as those with chronic lung disease, a low oxygen level between 88% to 93% SpO2 may be considered normal. Hypoxia, also known as hypoxia, can cause symptoms such as:
Shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, confusion, restlessness, if left for too long, your skin may turn blue, a condition called cyanosis, according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS), a blood oxygen level of less than 89% SpO2 for a short period of time may not cause any harm.
However, your cells, especially those in your heart and brain, may be stressed or damaged if low blood oxygen levels persist for a long time or if your oxygen levels drop frequently.
In severe cases, if your brain gets less oxygen, cells can begin to die within five minutes. These conditions can lead to brain damage.
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