How to use a pulse oximeter? What do the values mean?

How to use a pulse oximeter? Finger pulse oximeters are used by many people especially after the COVID pandemic. I explain how to correctly use an oximeter to get good reliable readings and possible reasons why you may get errors or inaccurate measurements.
The pulse oximeter only reports the peripheral pulse and oxygen saturation. I recommend keeping your hand relaxed or supported on a surface, putting the pulse oximeter on a warm finger to ensure there is good blood flow and to leave it on for at least a few seconds before noting the values reported.
I also discuss about normal ranges for pulse and oxygen saturation.
Do note that the pulse rate can go up quite a lot especially if you are exercising or doing anything strenuous.
☕ Please consider supporting my work by "buying a coffee" : www.buymeacoffee.com/scstanel
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Disclaimers:
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For all viewers/listeners:
The information presented here or in other videos and posts on this channel is not medical advice. These materials reflect general medical knowledge which may not apply to your individual case. If you have health concerns, please see your own doctor or other healthcare provider without delay.
For medical professionals:
You must use your professional judgement when treating your patients. The information presented in this and other videos/posts on this channel is for general medical education only. It may not apply to all patients or clinical scenarios.
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Пікірлер: 72

  • @bgpapa4178
    @bgpapa41784 ай бұрын

    I have had blood clots in my lungs (had a severe PE) and have to use one of these devices a lot just to check on how i'm doing. Not only is he correct, but he explains in a way that anyone can understand. good Job from him

  • @thewoodys_surf_instrumental
    @thewoodys_surf_instrumental9 ай бұрын

    It would be nice if all doctors explained things the way you do. Great tips and jampacked full of info. Thank you!

  • @oluwatobimoses1072

    @oluwatobimoses1072

    2 ай бұрын

    Ipn

  • @boatman222345
    @boatman22234511 ай бұрын

    Heads and shoulders above any video I've ever watched on this subject…better than excellent! Thanks!

  • @repentantsoul4213
    @repentantsoul421311 күн бұрын

    Thank you for showing me which finger to use. I’d forgotten from when I last had it done on me. Love your accent, very cool. Thanks again. 👍

  • @bobquell2214
    @bobquell22147 ай бұрын

    Was going to Google normal oxygen saturation range, thanks to this informative video, now I won't have to. Looking forward to ur future videos.

  • @Toucansan61
    @Toucansan61 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent job!

  • @exboyz04
    @exboyz043 ай бұрын

    ❤Thank you so so much for this video help. I been having problems reading the device properly. I have also lung disease and infections and irregular heart rate and its very good to now know the information with the results can read very differently. ❤

  • @reginaldgrisby4385
    @reginaldgrisby43852 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much I needed this ❤

  • @draganvujcic3248
    @draganvujcic324810 ай бұрын

    Excellent video. 👏

  • @catherinechikhodrawala3556
    @catherinechikhodrawala3556 Жыл бұрын

    Helpfull advice.

  • @francesco8076
    @francesco80767 ай бұрын

    Una spiegazione perfetta. Grazie

  • @bloomstix
    @bloomstix2 ай бұрын

    Great video!!

  • @mamalion3
    @mamalion3 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you. 🌻

  • @K.Swift1968
    @K.Swift19687 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the info.. Mine runs between 92 and 97...

  • @youtubeokay5769

    @youtubeokay5769

    2 ай бұрын

    Sounds like it not reading right

  • @britasarkar6285
    @britasarkar62854 ай бұрын

    Excellent

  • @michellescott8541
    @michellescott8541 Жыл бұрын

    Well explained thanku much appreciated

  • @susanfitzgerald2443
    @susanfitzgerald244310 ай бұрын

    Very well explained, thank you! Greetings from sunny South Florida! 🌞

  • @joseph5304
    @joseph53047 ай бұрын

    he is excellent

  • @davidkrupadanam1179
    @davidkrupadanam11796 ай бұрын

    Good information

  • @Q8Patriot
    @Q8Patriot Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the info 😅

  • @jameshenderson5385
    @jameshenderson5385Ай бұрын

    Thanks doc.

  • @feyrie
    @feyrie4 ай бұрын

    Using this to monitor my journey to lower my resting heart rate! Thanks for the informative video!

  • @lyndeelou2
    @lyndeelou24 ай бұрын

    Thank you

  • @phx4closureman
    @phx4closureman Жыл бұрын

    *Skip to **8:06*

  • @Marc_de_Car
    @Marc_de_Car8 ай бұрын

    thanks

  • @claforestrie
    @claforestrie27 күн бұрын

    you get a steady reading in two minutes😂❤

  • @diydantex6150
    @diydantex615010 ай бұрын

    'thank you

  • @eyesthere
    @eyesthere Жыл бұрын

    Ty

  • @pinkylilac7121
    @pinkylilac71217 ай бұрын

    Hi, so is it ok to read the readings after at least 30 seconds even if the signal level is still blinking? I’m using Zac Pro Pulse Oximeter btw. Thank you. Hope I get a response from you or anyone who knows the Zac Pro functions. Thanks again

  • @coeurdalenesowers1237
    @coeurdalenesowers12373 ай бұрын

    what does the PI % mean

  • @Mehki227
    @Mehki2273 ай бұрын

    I'm having heart palpitations usually after eating lately. When I'm having them, will this show the rate or skipped beats or anything?

  • @kamihatreasure1833
    @kamihatreasure1833 Жыл бұрын

    It's really tricky

  • @melizm7019
    @melizm70196 ай бұрын

    This was so helpful, my fingers are always cold in general and gave me some low stats from what I am use to… low like 95-97 in my mind that’s low 😂 but it went up when I warmed up a bit my finger and did your suggestions.

  • @DrStefanCristianStanel

    @DrStefanCristianStanel

    5 ай бұрын

    95-97 is normal

  • @shawnheselton5431
    @shawnheselton54319 ай бұрын

    What is the diffrent numbers when I hold down the button

  • @brianisrael40
    @brianisrael40 Жыл бұрын

    What the number up meaning for the red one.

  • @LaurenElizabeths-ld3hy
    @LaurenElizabeths-ld3hy9 ай бұрын

    My son has asthma. Can you use a pulse ox meter to measure asthma?? He had a bad attack this weekend, while struggling from a virus (not COVID, or RSV, or Flu).

  • @MaxPenguine
    @MaxPenguine Жыл бұрын

    Years ago SPO2 lvl was about 98+-. After LC now got range 95-98 but strange thing is oxigen dipping. Usually when try to sleep. It dips to 91,90 and sometime 88... stay for about +- 5 sec. than go back to 95,96,97. If i breathe hard on nose it goes up to 99 and 100 in a sec. no problem. But cant do that non stop ans sleep at same time... Not sure what to check for that and where to go. Is it lungs or heart problem or meds? Some days it's there and some not. Im on propranolol (for POTS like syndrome).

  • @nickjoe4506

    @nickjoe4506

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey man this is my exact condition. After I had pneumothorax, covid and the fly over span of 8 months my stat is 96-99 normal rate, but there will be days in a row at night where I have shortness of breath and am waking up with my o2 stay climbing up from 85 back up to 98. And this repeats usually through the whole night. I just slow down and breathe deeply and o2 clips a but it’s very tiring and worrying. No doctor has been able to help in 2 years

  • @MaxPenguine

    @MaxPenguine

    Жыл бұрын

    @@nickjoe4506 For me things got better over time. It comes back after any flu and some times for no reason. But pass after about a week more or less...

  • @lvsrinivasan4990
    @lvsrinivasan4990 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks dear Doctor for excellent information in simple way for layperson. My pulse rate showing 115. Asthamatic, O2 saturation shows 97. Having trembling in fingers. Age 58. Any advise.

  • @helennethers9777

    @helennethers9777

    10 ай бұрын

    yeah dont wear face masks

  • @Mehki227

    @Mehki227

    3 ай бұрын

    ​@helennethers9777 Are you a doctor? No? I have chronic bronchitis and wear face masks with zero problems and usually doubled. And breathe just fine. I notice a lot of Chinese in China wear them all the time and there are a billion Chinese. I also like the fact everyone in my husband's operating room had on masks. So do you Keep your politicized opinions to yourself. 🙄

  • @cskiles318
    @cskiles318 Жыл бұрын

    My husband has ipf. When he’s exerted the worst I’ve seen was 84 heart rate 144 he’s 77 😞

  • @meetachoudhury8474
    @meetachoudhury8474 Жыл бұрын

    If in the beginning oximeter shows straight line what does it indicate ?

  • @DrStefanCristianStanel

    @DrStefanCristianStanel

    Жыл бұрын

    hasn't picked up the signal yet

  • @venustirado5652
    @venustirado565222 күн бұрын

    👍🏼

  • @ginlinhsieh8620
    @ginlinhsieh86209 ай бұрын

    i am usually around 97 to 98, my lowest is 93 is that bad?

  • @bobsponge1877
    @bobsponge187710 ай бұрын

    Is this safe to wash the rubber off with IPA, or will it ruin the sensor?

  • @DrStefanCristianStanel

    @DrStefanCristianStanel

    10 ай бұрын

    probably fine to wipe it with an alcohol wipe/cloth, i do it often (not putting too much alcohol on, just a bit damp) I'd quickly check the cleaning instructions on your oximeter though

  • @bobsponge1877

    @bobsponge1877

    10 ай бұрын

    @@DrStefanCristianStanel thank you

  • @deb9869
    @deb9869 Жыл бұрын

    Does the finger oximeter show blood pressure too?

  • @DrStefanCristianStanel

    @DrStefanCristianStanel

    Жыл бұрын

    No

  • @vickic6723
    @vickic6723Ай бұрын

    What about people who have bradycardia it's 48 heart rate too low

  • @kaidanalenko5222
    @kaidanalenko5222Ай бұрын

    Looks like volodomir in thumbnail

  • @inregionecaecorum
    @inregionecaecorum11 ай бұрын

    Just getting one to even give a reading is a problem.

  • @melissabowannie5248
    @melissabowannie524811 ай бұрын

    You didn't explain how to read the numbers on the meter. Upsidedown or the other way.

  • @riverdean7
    @riverdean76 ай бұрын

    me 95 52 is that good

  • @slot_queen2783

    @slot_queen2783

    Ай бұрын

    Your oxygen is ok but your pulse rate is not ok

  • @chriscruz8269
    @chriscruz82699 ай бұрын

    I use one of these scared the hell out of me said my oxygen was 75

  • @srki0068
    @srki00689 ай бұрын

    My oxigen level is 97% when i am resting,im 23 years old. Is this normal?

  • @DrStefanCristianStanel

    @DrStefanCristianStanel

    9 ай бұрын

    Yes

  • @deronnie2694
    @deronnie26949 ай бұрын

    He is only a look-alike

  • @Karl-kd6mc
    @Karl-kd6mc6 ай бұрын

    Nobody tells you finger face up or down

  • @claforestrie
    @claforestrie27 күн бұрын

    must be at rest😅

  • @robertmadden7947
    @robertmadden7947Ай бұрын

    too wordy, repetitive. Took 6 minutes to get to the point of how to interrupt readings

  • @spencer5838
    @spencer58388 ай бұрын

    Why is this video 10 minutes?

  • @starastronomer

    @starastronomer

    6 ай бұрын

    Why did you ask a stupid question? He did an excellent job of explaining conditions and uses for an oximeter.