Healthy Oxygen Levels: Importance, Measurement, and Management

Your blood oxygen level can be measured with two different tests:

Arterial blood gas
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test is a type of blood test. It measures the oxygen level in your blood. It can also detect the levels of other gases in your blood, as well as the pH (acid/base level). ABG is very accurate.

To get an ABG measurement, doctors draw blood from an artery rather than a vein. Unlike veins, arteries have a pulse that can be felt. Also, blood that flows from arteries is oxygenated. Blood in your veins is not oxygenated.

Pulse oximeter
A pulse oximeter is a device that estimates the amount of oxygen in your blood. It does this by sending infrared light into capillaries in your finger, toe, or earlobe. It then measures how much of the light reflects off the gases in the blood.

The reading from a pulse oximeter indicates what percentage of your blood is saturated, called the SpO2 level. The reading may be up to 2 percent higher or lower than your actual blood oxygen level.

This test may be slightly less accurate, but it is very easy to perform. That's why doctors use it to quickly know your blood oxygen level.

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The normal ABG oxygen level for healthy lungs is between 80 and 100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). And if measured with a pulse oximeter, the normal reading of blood oxygen level (SpO2) is between 95 and 100 percent.

Blood oxygen level below 60 mm Hg is considered low and may require oxygen supplementation, depending on the doctor's judgment and the individual case.

When blood oxygen levels are too low compared to the average level of a healthy person, it can be a sign of a condition called hypoxia (lack of oxygen). This means that the body is having difficulty delivering oxygen to all its cells, tissues, and organs.

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When your blood oxygen level goes out of the normal range, you may experience some symptoms, such as -

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Headache
• Fast heartbeat

If your oxygen level is low, you may have symptoms of cyanosis. The basic sign of this condition is your nails, skin, and mucus membranes turning blue.

Cyanosis is an emergency. If you are experiencing its symptoms, you should contact a doctor immediately. Recently, falling oxygen levels have been linked to COVID-19.

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Normal oxygen levels should be between 95% and 100% for a healthy person, which can be measured with a pulse oximeter. If the oxygen level drops below 90%, it may be a sign of hypoxemia, which can cause lung or heart problems. Slight variations in oxygen levels are normal depending on physical activity, altitude, and health condition, but it is important to consult a doctor immediately in case of any abnormality. Regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle help maintain oxygen levels.