{"id":44764,"date":"2021-10-25T10:28:06","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T14:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=44764"},"modified":"2022-09-21T17:17:38","modified_gmt":"2022-09-21T21:17:38","slug":"blood-oxygen-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/blood-oxygen-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"What are normal blood oxygen levels?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Normal blood oxygen levels<\/a> | Blood oxygen level chart<\/a> | How to check blood oxygen<\/a> | Risk factors<\/a> | COVID-19<\/a> | Symptoms of low blood oxygen<\/a> | When to see a doctor <\/a>| How to increase blood oxygen levels<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s always important to pay close attention to your body and overall health. And as viruses like the common cold, the flu, and COVID-19 continue to circulate, your risk of secondary respiratory infections and breathing problems increases, too. When it comes to assessing your current health status, medical experts typically check your body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and breathing rate. But your blood oxygen levels are important too\u2014they measure the amount of oxygen you have circulating in your blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at blood oxygen levels, what affects them, what\u2019s considered normal, and how to increase yours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Normal blood oxygen levels<\/h2>\n

Blood oxygen levels are often classified as <\/span>low, normal, or high<\/span><\/a>, and typically range from 75-100 millimeters of mercury (mmHG). Normal readings typically fall between 95-100 mmHG for both adults and children. For example, an oxygen level of 94 would be considered normal and healthy. Anything lower than 90 is considered low.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping your blood oxygen level in a normal range is critical to your health. When this level dips below the normal range, medical attention is necessary. <\/span>\u201cPatients can develop an individualized baseline blood oxygen saturation that, when significantly altered, can alert them to seek medical attention,\u201d says <\/span>Shahyar Yadegar, MD<\/span><\/a>, critical care medicine specialist, pulmonologist, and medical director of the ICU at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center. <\/span>For individuals with a chronic lung disease, normal blood oxygen levels <\/span>may be lower<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Low blood oxygen levels put you at risk of developing hypoxemia, which the <\/span>Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/a> defines an arterial blood oxygen level below 75mmH. If that value dips under 60 mmHG, supplemental oxygen is necessary. Having a below-normal blood oxygen level also puts you at risk of developing hypoxia, or low oxygen in your tissues. These are <\/span>two different conditions<\/span><\/a>, but they can present with similar symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your provider may want to measure your blood oxygen levels in the <\/span>following situations<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n