Health Matters

Introduction A pulse oximeter has become a familiar home-health device, but many people still aren't sure what the numbers on the screen actually mean. What is SpO₂? What oxygen saturation is considered normal? Can a pulse oximeter give a wrong reading? And when should a low reading be taken seriously? This guide explains how a pulse oximeter works, how to check oxygen saturation correctly, what can affect its accuracy, and how to interpret your reading safely. What Is a Pulse Oximeter? A pulse oximeter is a small, non-invasive device that estimates the amount of oxygen being carried by haemoglobin in your blood. Most home pulse oximeters are clipped onto a fingertip. The device usually displays two main measurements: SpO₂: Estimated oxygen saturation of the blood PR or Pulse Rate: Number of heartbeats per minute Pulse oximetry provides a quick estimate without needing to draw blood. What Does SpO₂ Mean? SpO₂ stands for peripheral oxygen saturation. Your red blood cells contain ...