Getting enough oxygen is critical for COVID-19 patients. Oxygen levels can drop dangerously low in some cases, leading to hypoxemia and long-term health complications. Monitoring your oxygen saturation levels and watching for key symptoms are important ways to gauge whether you’re getting sufficient oxygen.
What is oxygen saturation?
Oxygen saturation refers to the percentage of hemoglobin proteins in your blood that are carrying oxygen. Hemoglobin proteins pick up oxygen when blood circulates through the lungs. Normal oxygen saturation levels are between 95-100%. This means 95-100% of hemoglobin proteins are oxygenated.
Oxygen saturation levels below 90% are considered low and called hypoxemia. With COVID-19, oxygen levels can drop due to pneumonia and fluid buildup in the lungs. Low oxygen also strains the heart and can damage organs if prolonged.
What is a normal oxygen level with COVID-19?
For most people recovering from COVID-19 at home, oxygen saturation levels should stay between 95-100%. If your levels are 92-94%, you may need supplemental oxygen. Under 92% is dangerously low and requires immediate medical attention.
However, normal oxygen levels can vary depending on your health status:
- Healthy individuals: 95-100%
- People with respiratory conditions: 90-95%
- High altitude dwellers: 90-95%
People with underlying lung disease or other respiratory conditions may have lower baseline oxygen levels. But with COVID, oxygen should not drop below 90%. High altitude residents may also read lower due to thinner air.
How can you monitor your oxygen level at home?
Using a pulse oximeter is the easiest way to monitor oxygen saturation at home. This small device clips onto your finger and beams light through your fingernail to gauge oxygen levels. Most models can also check pulse rate.
Monitoring your oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter can help you determine if and when you need additional oxygen or medical care. Health experts recommend owning a pulse oximeter and checking levels twice daily if you have COVID-19.
Tips for checking oxygen with a pulse oximeter:
- Sit upright and rest for 5 minutes before taking a reading
- Make sure your hands are clean and dry
- Remove nail polish from the finger being measured
- Place the clip on your index or middle finger
- Keep still during the reading
- Take several consistent readings for accuracy
What symptoms may indicate low oxygen levels?
Certain symptoms can also signal your oxygen may be low before or in between pulse oximeter checks. Pay attention to:
- Shortness of breath: Labored or difficult breathing may indicate low oxygen.
- Chest tightness: A tightening sensation in your chest can occur with hypoxemia.
- Confusion and headache: Insufficient oxygen to the brain can cause these symptoms.
- Rapid heart rate: To compensate for low oxygen, the heart beats faster.
- Cough and fever: New or worsening cough and fever can indicate pneumonia and falling oxygen levels.
- Blue lips or face: These are late signs of very low oxygen levels.
Who is at higher risk for low oxygen with COVID-19?
Certain COVID patients face a higher chance of developing low oxygen levels that require medical support:
- Adults over 50 years old
- People with chronic medical conditions: heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, etc.
- Individuals who are obese or overweight
- Those with weakened immune systems
- People not vaccinated against COVID-19
Low oxygen can happen to anyone with COVID-19. But older adults and those with medical problems are at elevated risk. Vaccination remains your best protection against severe oxygen deprivation.
When to seek emergency care
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following signs of dangerously low oxygen:
- Oxygen saturation under 90%
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Confusion, dizziness, or fainting
- Blue lips or face
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
Hypoxemia is a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the ER if you or a loved one shows these symptoms. Severely low oxygen can damage the brain, heart, and other organs if not treated swiftly.
How is low oxygen treated for COVID-19?
There are several ways doctors can treat low oxygen levels from COVID-19:
- Supplemental oxygen: Extra oxygen by nasal cannula or oxygen mask.
- Steroids: Reduce inflammation blocking airways.
- Remdesivir: Antiviral to help fight the virus.
- Blood thinners: Prevent blood clots lowering oxygen.
- Prone positioning: Lying on the stomach opens airways.
- Ventilators: Severe cases require breathing support.
Treatment depends on how low your oxygen level is and what other symptoms you have. People with oxygen in the 90-94% range may only need extra oxygen. But levels under 90% usually require hospitalization.
How to increase low oxygen levels at home
You may be able to improve low oxygen levels from COVID-19 at home through:
- Oxygen concentrators: Provide supplemental oxygen.
- Pulse oximeter: Monitor oxygen levels.
- Chest physiotherapy: Clears mucus through postural drainage and coughing.
- Breathing exercises: Pursed lip breathing and belly breathing.
- Movement: Light walking around the house or arm raises.
- Hydration: Drinking extra fluids like water.
- Sleep: Getting lots of rest.
However, home remedies are not recommended if your oxygen saturation is below 92%. Medical support is crucial at that point.
How to prevent low oxygen levels with COVID-19
Preventing coronavirus infection in the first place is the best way to avoid oxygen problems. But if you do get COVID-19, these tips may help minimize your risk of hypoxemia:
- Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date on boosters.
- Take prescribed medications for COVID-19.
- Use a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen levels.
- Seek care quickly if oxygen levels drop below 92%.
- Don’t delay treatment if you experience shortness of breath.
- Avoid exerting yourself as this raises oxygen needs.
- Sleep propped up to ease breathing.
- Open windows to circulate fresh outdoor air.
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
What are the long term effects of low oxygen levels?
Short periods of low oxygen may not cause lasting damage, especially in young healthy people. But the longer oxygen stays low, the higher the risk of long-term effects such as:
- Cognitive changes like reduced memory and concentration.
- Mood and personality shifts, such as depression or anxiety.
- Damage to heart muscle tissue (myocardial injury).
- Post-exertional malaise leaving you extremely fatigued after activity.
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) causing dizziness.
- Loss of lung function (pulmonary fibrosis).
Studies show 20-30% of hospitalized COVID patients experience longer term symptoms. The elderly and those with comorbidities are most at risk of lasting effects.
Oxygen Level | Status | Symptoms |
---|---|---|
95-100% | Normal | None |
92-94% | Mild hypoxemia | Possible shortness of breath or dizziness |
Under 92% | Low oxygen | Shortness of breath, confusion, rapid heart rate |
Under 90% | Severely low oxygen | Gasping for air, high fever, cyanosis |
Under 85% | Grave hypoxemia | Loss of consciousness, organ failure |
This table summarizes oxygen levels in the blood, condition names, and associated symptoms.
Key Takeaways
- Monitor oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter – Normal is 95-100%.
- Watch for shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough, and confusion.
- Levels under 92% require medical treatment.
- Low oxygen for extended periods can cause long-term organ damage.
Conclusion
Getting sufficient oxygen is key to recovering safely from COVID-19. Check your levels frequently with a pulse oximeter device. Falling below 92% saturation signals hypoxemia and the need for prompt medical care. Seek emergency support if you have difficulty breathing or very low oxygen levels to avoid permanent effects.
With close monitoring and early treatment, most people can overcome temporary drops in oxygen and avoid lasting damage. Having supplemental oxygen available can buy time until emergency providers can arrive.