How to check saturation without a pulse oximeter

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Watches and smart bracelets with the function of measuring saturation have recently become more and more popular gadgets. We will figure out how to check saturation without a pulse oximeter with their help and how reliable the data obtained is.

Smartwatch measurements

Smart bracelets and smartwatches with a body SpO2 sensor are available in various configurations. They differ from each other in details such as functionality, appearance or color.

More and more manufacturers are implementing such a solution in portable accessories, and this, in turn, gives hope that after a while such a sensor will be considered the standard for such equipment.

Modern smartwatches offer various functions that not only provide an effective workout, allowing the wearer to analyze the effectiveness of physical efforts, but also take care of his health.

In sports watches from companies such as Garmin or Polar, there are already pulse oximeters, sensors for the quality and duration of sleep, and respiratory rate. A relatively new solution is a pulse oximeter. This sensor measures the degree of oxygen saturation in the blood (saturation).

How can you check your oxygen saturation without a pulse oximeter using a smartwatch

How to enable the pulse oximeter widget in your smartwatch:

1. To enable the widget, use the Up and Down buttons until the corresponding graph is displayed.
2. Pressing the button corresponding to the up arrow symbol will start the measurement and display additional advanced information.
3. To use a pulse oximeter, you must remain stationary for at least 30 seconds. If the watch detects activity during this time, the measurement will not be performed.
4. To ensure the best possible quality, the hand with the watch should be held at the same level as the heart during the measurement.
5. Pressing the Down button again will display the measurement results for the last 7 days.

The saturation measurement is displayed on the device screen as a percentage value and as a color graph. You can export your blood oxygenation data to your training history and compare your results and trends over a selected period of time. The graphical information displayed by the device allows you to evaluate changes in blood saturation and a graph of the average blood saturation over the last 24 hours.

Pulse oximeter in smart bracelet

Smart bracelets are becoming more and more popular because they are inexpensive devices with interesting features. They are suitable for home measurements. They can have a built-in pulse oximeter. It measures the absorption by red blood cells in capillaries of radiation of 2 different wavelengths - red and infrared.

The measured signal consists of 2 components: constant and variable. The variable component describes the absorption of pulsatile arterial blood. The measurement results are used to calculate the degree of saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen SpO2. A pulse oximeter also measures your heart rate.

The device measures an indicator value in the range of 70 to 100%, of which a value of 90% and above is considered to be in accordance with the standard.

But the manufacturers emphasize that the bracelet is not a medical device, and the results obtained with its help should not be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Nevertheless, if the bracelet indicates problems with blood oxygen saturation, it is worth consulting a doctor who can order tests using more highly specialized equipment. A smart bracelet can act as an early warning system.

Apps are not a reliable way to measure blood oxygen levels

Russians are actively downloading apps for measuring saturation on their smartphones. But doctors say it's an unreliable way to track your condition. The problem is that nowadays it is difficult to find pulse oximeters to measure the oxygen saturation of the blood. They are either sold out or are 4 times more expensive.

Since instrumentation is not available, people are turning to questionable alternatives. Now a paid application for the iPhone is popular, through which, according to the developer, you can measure the level of oxygen in the blood. At the same time, they warn that the application is not a medical device.

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Despite the availability of such applications, research shows that they cannot accurately measure blood oxygen levels, especially when they are low. And relying solely on application data can be extremely dangerous.

Researchers at the Birmingham School of Medicine (USA) evaluated 3 pulse oximetry iPhone apps and found that they were unable to correctly identify people who were lacking oxygen.

Outcomes

1. Pulse oximetry, or SpO2, is a measurement of oxygen saturation, which is the volume of oxygen in the blood.
2. Wrist devices such as smart wristbands, Fitbit smartwatches, Apple Watch and others measure the light that is reflected back into the sensor. They then display the resulting saturation data on the screen.
3. Despite the presence of a convenient function in bracelets and smartphones, manufacturers warn that you should not consider their product a diagnostic tool, and therefore you cannot rely on the data they provide.