If you are oxygen level is below 88%, then its dangerous. You need to take the patient to the hospital. If the blood oxygen level is around 80%, the vital organs get damaged and this may lead them to stop working.
- Below 85% causes cognitive problems
- Below 65% leads to mental impairment
- Below 55% leads consciousness loss leading to death
Oxygen saturation in healthy people
If you are a healthy person with healthy lungs and asthma under control. Then your oxygen level in blood should be between 95%-100%. However, your oxygen level can drop to 90-95% due to the following reasons
- Low oxygen concentration in your area
- Exertion
- Temperature extremes
However, if you have COPD or other lung issues, then normal to have a blood oxygen level between 92%- 88%.
Signs and symptoms of shortness of breath
Sign and symptoms may varry depedning on the severity of condition
- Confusion
- Bluish color in skin, fingernails, and lips
- Shortness of breath
- Fast heartbeat
- Coughing
- Headache
- Wheezing
Medical emergency
This happens when the body doesn’t get enough oxygen. If the following happens to a patient, he should be rushed to the hospital
- Tightness sensation in the chest
- Unable to breath
- finer, nails turn blue
- Sudden awakening from sleep due to shortness of breath
- Shortness of breath due to mild or no exertion
MICHAEL says
Today, I realized my concentrator was NOT turned back on for almost two days, because I been having a hard time staying awake and walking. I turned its back on and Blood Oxygen was 79%. I’m gone to contact a doctor to find out if being this low possibly did some damage. I’ve been on extra Oxygen for 5 months. I learnt from the information.
Thanks, Michael