The oximeters used by my pulmonary rehab program, very high tech, are always all over the place and obviously inaccurate. I have a basic one at home that we must have bought years ago from the drug store that seems more reliable. Also keep in mind, according to my pulmonary rehab therapists, if hands are cold will impact readings, nail polish, movement both also impact readings. Sometimes it can just be about fit. For heart rate, I use a Polar chest strap monitor which is very accurate (I have a low resting HR, about 50-55, and take it up above 80% max, 140-155, during exercise). My oxygen levels are still pretty good (95-98%), so I haven’t spent time researching more reliable oximeters but if/when I do, I will report back anything interesting.
Good for you @bayarea58 ! That sounds like me with the heart rates. I do an intense spin bike class 3 days a week getting my heart rate up like that. I use the Polar arm band during exercise which I've found to be quite accurate.
Just a thought…smart phones have apps to measure O2sats. I downloaded one during Covid. At that time, they were thought to be unreliable to moderately reliable. It seemed pretty accurate for me, but mine were in normal range.
I took a quick look for scholarly articles and saw a v small study that indicated they’re moderately reliable and better than unapproved over counter.
The notes about cold fingers, etc. is accurate and it’s also important to let it settle. If fingers are cold, washing in warm water or warm compress help.
Just a thought…smart phones have apps to measure O2sats. I downloaded one during Covid. At that time, they were thought to be unreliable to moderately reliable. It seemed pretty accurate for me, but mine were in normal range.
I took a quick look for scholarly articles and saw a v small study that indicated they’re moderately reliable and better than unapproved over counter.
The notes about cold fingers, etc. is accurate and it’s also important to let it settle. If fingers are cold, washing in warm water or warm compress help.
I supposedly have the O2 capability on my sports watch but it literally never works. My husband has similar on his sports watch (different, higher quality than mine) and he says it works well. He does not have any health issues so I don’t think he is comparing his watches data to anything else. He does say it is “the same” technology as the health care versions. I have no idea if that is true, my watch NEVER works so that technology is not fool-proof and I know from years and years of tracking heart rate that different tool have different reliability so don’t know what that would not be true of O2 meters.
it's difficult to measure O2 on the wrist.
While many of the finger pulse Oximeters brands are FDA approved(Medline for example),
none of the Smartwatches are FDA approved.
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Good for you @bayarea58 ! That sounds like me with the heart rates. I do an intense spin bike class 3 days a week getting my heart rate up like that. I use the Polar arm band during exercise which I've found to be quite accurate.
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1 ReactionJust a thought…smart phones have apps to measure O2sats. I downloaded one during Covid. At that time, they were thought to be unreliable to moderately reliable. It seemed pretty accurate for me, but mine were in normal range.
I took a quick look for scholarly articles and saw a v small study that indicated they’re moderately reliable and better than unapproved over counter.
The notes about cold fingers, etc. is accurate and it’s also important to let it settle. If fingers are cold, washing in warm water or warm compress help.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI supposedly have the O2 capability on my sports watch but it literally never works. My husband has similar on his sports watch (different, higher quality than mine) and he says it works well. He does not have any health issues so I don’t think he is comparing his watches data to anything else. He does say it is “the same” technology as the health care versions. I have no idea if that is true, my watch NEVER works so that technology is not fool-proof and I know from years and years of tracking heart rate that different tool have different reliability so don’t know what that would not be true of O2 meters.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionit's difficult to measure O2 on the wrist.
While many of the finger pulse Oximeters brands are FDA approved(Medline for example),
none of the Smartwatches are FDA approved.