A pulse oximeter is a simple, painless test that measures the level of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and the pulse rate. Simply put, it quickly measures the amount of oxygen in the blood and how efficiently it is transported to the furthest ends of the body, including the arms and legs.
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive procedure. In other words, no equipment is inserted into the body. In fact, it can only be done with a small clip-on device called a pulse oximeter sensor that is usually connected to the finger, toes, or any part of the body of the earlobe. The best fingertip pulse oximeter sensors vary in size and shape and are offered in unique reusable applications.
What are the advantages of a pulse oximeter?
The pulse oximeter has two important functions. To measure the amount of oxygen in a person’s bloodstream and to measure the person’s heart rate. However, using a pulse oximeter has several benefits, including those for people without cardiovascular or respiratory disease.
Find problems early
Pulse oximeters can monitor oxygen saturation throughout the day, week, month, or year. By keeping the oxygen percentage constant, both doctors and patients can detect abnormalities and potential problems before they are life-threatening. Therefore, one of the main benefits of using a pulse oximeter is that it can save lives.
Track heartbeat
Fitness gurus, sports enthusiasts, and those just starting out on an exercise routine can reap the full benefits of using a pulse oximeter. Understanding your heart rate is important to achieve the optimal physical benefits of exercise.
If your heart rate is too low, you will not burn too many calories. However, too high a heart rate can lead to dangerous situations and damage the heart.
Finally
For many patients, doctors often recommend exercising to improve physical endurance and general condition. However, exercise can lead to increased difficulty breathing. Patients should monitor oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter during exercise so that they can adjust their rhythm as oxygen saturation decreases. Patients with severe heart disease often have low SpO2 levels. Pulse oximeters help them monitor their condition and use additional oxygen as needed. Press charts created by pulse oximeters show that changes in blood volume during heart rate are a good indicator of certain heart conditions.
Pilots, climbers, and people at high altitude also use pulse oximeters to prevent hypoxia. Good breathing techniques, such as stable lip breathing, can increase oxygen saturation. Many patients with low oxygen saturation can increase saturation by up to 93% using appropriate breathing techniques. Exercise and a pulse oximeter help the patient achieve this level of efficiency.