What is a normal spo2 while sleeping

Elderly men who experience extended episodes of interrupted breathing while asleep have a high risk of heart problems. Research shows that poor blood oxygenation is a good indicator of the chance of heart-related death, which cannot be attributed to sleep apnea alone.

A team led by Dominik Linz, PhD, and Mathias Baumert, PhD, of the University of Adelaide’s Medical School and School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has published their study in the European Heart Journal examining patterns of low blood oxygenation during sleep and the relation to heart-related deaths in 2840 men aged in their 70s and early 80s.

“Understanding underlying causes of low oxygen saturation during sleep is important as this may assist in preventing deaths,” says Linz, in a release. “The study shows for the first time that poor blood oxygenation during sleep predicts the chance of heart-related death in elderly men. The study also demonstrates that reduced blood oxygenation cannot be attributed to episodic drops in oxygen alone.”

A healthy person normally has a 95%-100% saturation during the day. Oxygen saturation is slightly lower while a person sleeps due to shallower breathing. Saturation below 90% is considered low resulting in hypoxia where oxygen flow to the body is restricted.

“The study showed that when the men had 12 or more minutes of sleep at low oxygen saturation below 90% this increased the risk of heart-related death by 59%,” says Baumert. “Approximately 20% of the time that oxygen saturation was below 90% could not be attributed to episodic desaturations traditionally related to sleep-disordered breathing.”

Linz. says, “Screening for and treatment of risk factors beyond sleep-disordered breathing and obesity might help to reduce nocturnal hypoxia in people who regularly experience long periods of time during the night below 90% oxygen saturation.”

“Simple and affordable tools for overnight measurement of hypoxia levels are readily available. Tests can be performed at home or aged care facilities as part of a standard health check program,” says Baumert.

Want to find out your overnight oxygen saturation levels? Worried that your body might be suffering from low blood oxygen? Order a nighttime pulse oximetry test today for $95. No prescription is required.

What is a normal spo2 while sleeping

Order A Sleep Oxygen Level Test Now

Top reasons to get an overnight pulse oximetry study:

  • Find out if you might be at risk for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea tends to display a distinct pattern of oxygen drops while you're asleep. 
  • Find out if your CPAP machine is fully-treating your sleep apnea or if you're still having dangerous oxygen drops while you're sleeping.
  • Find out if you qualify for oxygen therapy. If your oxygen level is <89% for at least 5 minutes, you will qualify for oxygen therapy.

Your rental includes:

  • You may keep the device for up to two nights. Your report will be for one night of data. We give you an extra night in case something comes up and you're unable to do the test the first night. 
  • Full nighttime pulse oximetry report delivered through a secure electronic link. 
  • USPS Priority Mail shipping is included.
  • Should your nighttime oxygen test suggest a high likelihood of sleep apnea, you will receive a $35 credit towards a home sleep apnea test or online sleep doctor consultation to discuss the test's findings. 
  • Are you looking to purchase your own Nonin overnight pulse oximeter device to check your overnight oxygen levels whenever you want? We can help you with that as well! We include all the parts and software that you need to access your data.

Buy A Nonin Pulse Oximeter

Or let us contact you to give you more information or help you order a test. We will reach out to you within one business day:

FAQs:

Will Medicare or Medicaid pay for this study?

Singular Sleep is out of network with Medicare or Medicaid.

Will my insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United, Cigna etc.) pay for this study?

Singular Sleep is out of network with private insurance companies. We are happy to provide you with an invoice that you may submit to your insurer for reimbursement.

Will my insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurances like Blue Cross Blue Shield etc.) accept this study to cover oxygen treatment?

Generally speaking, yes. If this will be important to you, always check with your insurer before ordering.

Does this study test me for sleep apnea?

No, this study online tests your nighttime oxygen levels. We do offer an affordable home sleep apnea test. 

Will my insurance, or anyone else, find out about this study?

No, your results will not be reported to your insurance company or any other party without your express written consent. 

What causes low blood oxygen during sleep?

Common medical disorders that result in low O2 levels while you sleep include: sleep apnea, lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, heart disease like congestive heart failure (CHF), ALS, myasthenias gravis, pulmonary hypertension, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Living at high altitude is associated with lower oxygen levels while sleeping. 

What symptoms do low oxygen levels while sleeping cause?

Low oxygen levels can cause waking up short of breath, waking up not feeling refreshed, morning headaches, and daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Frequently, people don't have any symptoms but develop medical problems over time due to long-term exposure to low oxygen while sleeping. 

Do I need a prescription or referral to order this oxygen level test?

No, you can order the oxygen level study without a referral or prescription. 

Can this study be used for me to get an oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank?

Yes, if the study is abnormal, a qualified medical provider can use the results to prescribe oxygen therapy for you. 

What do I do if the study is abnormal or if I need help understanding what the results mean?

You have the option of scheduling an online consultation with our doctor or reviewing the results with your personal health care provider. 

What does the test measure?

The test continuously measures your blood oxygen level and heart rate. 

What type of device do you use?

We use the Nonin 3150 which is considered one of the premier devices for this type of testing. 

What what is the normal oxygen level while sleeping?

Oxygen levels ≥ 90% are normal. 

Is it normal for oxygen levels to drop while sleeping?

Slight oxygen level dips are normal during sleep but you should not drop <90%. 

Is this the same as the pulse oximeters that I can buy in the store?

No, those pulse oximeters only "spot check" your blood oxygen levels. They do not measure continuously and record the data. 

What are some common reasons for ordering a nighttime blood oxygen study?

Health care providers commonly order nocturnal pulse oximetry to screen patients for sleep apnea and to assess how well sleep apnea treatment (with CPAP, BiPAP or ASV) is working. The test is also used to diagnose COPD and other chronic lung conditions. It can be used to assess the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation used for disorders affecting the cardiopulmonary system. 

Is this the same as the devices and apps that measure blood oxygen levels and work with my smartphone (iPhone and Android) such as iHealth and iOximeter?

No, those devices, such as the Oura, Motive, and Wellue, are not FDA-approved to measure continuous pulse oximetry. This means that the measurements they provide may not be entirely accurate. The device that we use is FDA-approved for this use, which is the gold standard for accuracy and reliability in medical testing. 

Can I get treatments from you if my pulse oximetry study is abnormal?

Yes, depending on the pattern of abnormality on your study, a sleep apnea test or supplemental oxygen therapy may be indicated. Singular Sleep provides both of those. 

Are there any additional costs?

We use very expensive medical equipment and are required to place a $75 hold on your credit card to ensure that the equipment is returned to us. The hold will be refunded shortly upon return receipt of the equipment.