I had a couple of people asking about the answers on my meme. Some wanted to know about the talk with the nurse about my 02 levels. I want to know more about it myself. Mollie pestered her dad into getting me a new iWatch about a year ago. It has all the bells and whistles, it checks for Afib, it detects a fall and calls for help, it tells me how fast my heart beat is and it checks blood oxygen levels. I never gave much thought to these O2 levels, but I took them occasionally. And usually they were between 95 and 100. Seemed fine. But lately that hasn’t been the case. Much of the time the reading are in the high to mid-80's. And once, I repeat only once, back last January it dropped to 68% blood oxygen. The watch keeps records for the year.
I have never felt a thing wrong. I have no cold or covid symptoms. I do not feel short of breath in any way. Basically I don’t know if I need a doctor or a new watch. When I did talk to the nurse about it, she had me come in just so she could check it and at that time it was 96, and my watch said the same thing. My doctor wasn’t there that day and no one’s called me back so I guess they’re not worried.
I check my heart rate too. The range bothers me, usually when I check it in the 70's. But last Friday the range went from 46 to 111 and on Saturday it went from 58 to 175, it was only that high for just a minute. Again, do I need a new watch or what? I have no desire to spend time at the hospital for test these day. So for the most part, I’m doing nothing. I hope that solves it.
Hi PK, I want to encourage you to make an appointment to see your Doc and talk through the readings and so that they can re-do them. Hopefully give you peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
The nurse called back today with some suggestions. I'll definitely keep an eye on it.
DeleteHm, i'm not a huge believer in watch-fitness devices. So if you have a finger-tip o2 reader that might be more accurate. Also, a home BP monitor might also be more reliable.
ReplyDeleteBut if you're worried about anything, see a doc to get a thorough workup once and for all and then you can rest easy.
If you're NOT worried about it, then Keep Writing and Carry On!
The iWatch has been very accurate when it's been tested against the doctors sensors, but you never know. I'll watch it, but I refuse to worry.
DeleteI'd also suggest picking up a cheap fingertip pulseox meter. That way when you get a low reading on the watch, you can see what the pulseox meter says. If you are actually dropping into the 80s, get to the doctor (or, if it stays there, to the ER).
ReplyDeleteI just ordered one! I do like the idea of having one to check against the other.
DeleteIf you are awake and SPO2 is in the mid 80s, you should feel pretty weak. 68 is getting into passing out territory. You would notice. If it's happening during sleep, you could be developing sleep apnea. That is really common and largely undiagnosed. It has some bad effects. If the low SPO2 is during sleep, see your doctor.
ReplyDeleteI have never felt anything at all. The 68 was recorded back in January so I have no memory. I don't want it to be sleep apnea because I don't want to wear a c-pac at night. I realize I not wanting it to be something won't really effect anything.
DeleteJust checkin' in on ya. I hear you about the health stuff.....blah! But, I hope you are well and getting all good numbers now! Hugs, Windy
ReplyDeleteDoing much better.
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