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What Is a Proper Oxygen Level?

Oxygen levels are important in assessing a person's health and overall well-being. If a person's oxygen level is too low it can significantly affect their health. Body organs, mental status and long-term health may be affected if a person has a long period of low blood oxygen. Oxygen levels may be low due to chronic or acute illness and can be treated with oxygen.

  1. What is an Oxygen Level?

    • When a person breathes they inhale air, and the main ingredient in that air is oxygen. The respiratory system stores and uses oxygen, and the circulatory system distributes oxygen throughout body by bloodstream. Saturated oxygen in blood represents the overall oxygen level in the body. Oxygen levels can indicate problems with the lung, problems with hemoglobin or heart problems.

    What Are Proper Oxygen Levels?

    • A proper oxygen level in healthy adults ranges from 95% to 100%. This oxygen level range ensures that cells can function optimally. Oxygen levels are tested by measuring the oxygen in the blood, which is called an arterial blood gas test. Pulse oximeters are also used for measuring oxygen levels. A pulse oximeter, a small device that clips on the finger. The oximeter is not as accurate as the blood test, but can give a good estimate of how oxygen is saturating in the blood.

    Symptoms of Low Oxygen Levels

    • If a person's oxygen levels fall below 90 percent, it is common for their skin to take on a bluish appearance, and according to Heart Failure.com, if the oxygen level falls below 92 percent, the cells of the body are starved for oxygen. The name of this condition is called hypoxemia or hypoxia. All organs of the body suffer if the oxygen levels are low. Symptoms of a low oxygen level are shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, chest tightness, confusion, water retention, cough and tingling fingers.

    Causes of Low Oxygen Levels

    • Low oxygen levels may be attributed to excess fluid retention, airway restriction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) respiratory illness, heart failure or sleep apnea. The causes may be acute or chronic. If the low oxygen level is due to an acute illness (i.e., pneumonia, trauma or heart attack), oxygen therapy may be given on a short-term basis in a hospital setting. If the condition is chronic, such as COPD or heart failure, oxygen may be prescribed at home.

    Treatment of Low Oxygen Levels

    • Home oxygen may be given to people who chronically have low blood oxygen levels. A patient will be given a prescription for home oxygen by their medical provider. When insurance or payment is finalized, an oxygen concentrator, oxygen mask and possibly a portable oxygen cylinder (if the person needs lightweight oxygen because they are active). Extra tanks of liquid oxygen are usually given as well, with deliveries occurring weekly, bi-weekly or whatever the patient, doctor and medical supply company work out.

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