Measuring blood oxygen levels, also known as pulse oximetry, is a non-invasive procedure that determines the amount of oxygen carried in your blood. It is a crucial indicator of your overall health and can help diagnose and monitor various medical conditions.
Pulse oximetry is commonly used in hospitals, clinics, and even at home to assess oxygen levels. It involves clipping a small device called a pulse oximeter onto your fingertip or earlobe. The device emits light waves through your skin and measures the amount of light absorbed by your blood. Since oxygenated and deoxygenated blood absorb light differently, the pulse oximeter can calculate your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels.