Learn about high, low, and normal heart and pulse rates.
A portable pulse oximeter is a device that clips onto your finger and reads your heart rate as well as the percentage of oxygen in your blood. It was developed to detect hypoxia (a condition caused by insufficient oxygen). The hemoglobin in your blood bonds to oxygen and carries it through your circulatory system to your body's cells. A pulse oximeter works by emitting an infrared light that shines through your body's tissue to a photosensor on the other side. The light detects the amount of hemoglobin that is saturated with (or carrying) oxygen. The device displays a number that indicates the percentage of saturated hemoglobin. A reading (denoted by SpO2) in the high 90s (i.e., 96%-99%) is considered normal. Here's how to read this medical device.
- Clip on the device. The pulse oximeter must be clipped, like a clothespin, onto a part of your body where light can shine through the blood flowing through your arteries. This includes your finger (where it's most commonly placed on adults), toe, earlobe, or across the bridge of your nose. Because the reading so often occurs on the finger, these devices are also commonly called a finger pulse oximeter.
- Ensure the device is giving you an accurate reading. Some scenarios will result in either an inaccurate reading or no reading at all. A good way to determine whether the reading is accurate is to compare the pulse rate on the device to the pulse rate you get by taking the patient's pulse manually. If they do not correspond, the likelihood is that you are not getting an accurate reading. Some common reasons for an erroneous reading include:
- Nail polish, if the device is clipped on a finger
- Excessive movement by the patient
- Hypothermia or a cold injury to the extremities
- Anemia (not enough iron in the blood)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Certain types of seizures
- Shock (hypoperfusion) associated with blood loss or poor perfusion
- Remain still. As noted above, excessive movement can result in an inaccurate reading. Try to remain relatively still while the device is in use.
- Assess the results. A normal reading for a person breathing room air is in the high 90s; a reading of anywhere from 96% through 99% SpO2 is typically not a cause for alarm. A reading of 95% SpO2 or lower could indicate hypoxia and should be investigated. A reading of 90% or less indicates significant hypoxia and requires immediate action.
A pulse oximeter will also record your heart rate. Normal heart rates are as follows, depicted in beats per minute (bpm):
- Elderly Person (75+): Normal - 90
- Adult: Normal - 60-80 / Rapid - 100+ / Slow - below 60
- Adolescent: Normal - 60-105 / Rapid - 105+ / Slow - below 50
- Child (5-12 years): Normal - 60-120 / Rapid - 120+ / Slow - below 60
- Child (1-5 years): Normal - 80-150 / Rapid - 150+ / Slow - below 80
- Infant: Normal - 120-150 / Rapid - 150+ / Slow - below 120
Having a monitor on hand can be convenient when exercising as well. You want to be sure that when you work out, you're keeping a healthy heart rate. Now that you know how to read a pulse oximeter, you can check to make sure that you and your family have normal heart and pulse rates while exercising or when at rest.
How to Read a Portable Pulse Oximeter
Learn about high, low, and normal heart and pulse rates.
A portable pulse oximeter is a device that clips onto your finger and reads your heart rate as well as the percentage of oxygen in your blood. It was developed to detect hypoxia (a condition caused by insufficient oxygen). The hemoglobin in your blood bonds to oxygen and carries it through your circulatory system to your body's cells. A pulse oximeter works by emitting an infrared light that shines through your body's tissue to a photosensor on the other side. The light detects the amount of hemoglobin that is saturated with (or carrying) oxygen. The device displays a number that indicates the percentage of saturated hemoglobin. A reading (denoted by SpO2) in the high 90s (i.e., 96%-99%) is considered normal. Here's how to read this medical device.
- Clip on the device. The pulse oximeter must be clipped, like a clothespin, onto a part of your body where light can shine through the blood flowing through your arteries. This includes your finger (where it's most commonly placed on adults), toe, earlobe, or across the bridge of your nose. Because the reading so often occurs on the finger, these devices are also commonly called a finger pulse oximeter.
- Ensure the device is giving you an accurate reading. Some scenarios will result in either an inaccurate reading or no reading at all. A good way to determine whether the reading is accurate is to compare the pulse rate on the device to the pulse rate you get by taking the patient's pulse manually. If they do not correspond, the likelihood is that you are not getting an accurate reading. Some common reasons for an erroneous reading include:
- Nail polish, if the device is clipped on a finger
- Excessive movement by the patient
- Hypothermia or a cold injury to the extremities
- Anemia (not enough iron in the blood)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Certain types of seizures
- Shock (hypoperfusion) associated with blood loss or poor perfusion
- Remain still. As noted above, excessive movement can result in an inaccurate reading. Try to remain relatively still while the device is in use.
- Assess the results. A normal reading for a person breathing room air is in the high 90s; a reading of anywhere from 96% through 99% SpO2 is typically not a cause for alarm. A reading of 95% SpO2 or lower could indicate hypoxia and should be investigated. A reading of 90% or less indicates significant hypoxia and requires immediate action.
A pulse oximeter will also record your heart rate. Normal heart rates are as follows, depicted in beats per minute (bpm):
- Elderly Person (75+): Normal - 90
- Adult: Normal - 60-80 / Rapid - 100+ / Slow - below 60
- Adolescent: Normal - 60-105 / Rapid - 105+ / Slow - below 50
- Child (5-12 years): Normal - 60-120 / Rapid - 120+ / Slow - below 60
- Child (1-5 years): Normal - 80-150 / Rapid - 150+ / Slow - below 80
- Infant: Normal - 120-150 / Rapid - 150+ / Slow - below 120
Having a monitor on hand can be convenient when exercising as well. You want to be sure that when you work out, you're keeping a healthy heart rate. Now that you know how to read a pulse oximeter, you can check to make sure that you and your family have normal heart and pulse rates while exercising or when at rest.
How to Read a Portable Pulse Oximeter
By Howtodotips
Learn about high, low, and normal heart and pulse rates.