blood oxygen monitor - recommendations

hello

I’m after recommendations for a blood oxygen monitor preferably approved by nhs?

I have an Apple Watch Series 7 which constantly monitors my blood oxygen and I’m able to see levels at sleep and awake plus averages / ranges on iPhone.

I noticed that it had picked up:

- for the last week - sleep range 87 - 99%, daily average 93.7 to 95.5 % (overall range 87 to 100)

- last month - sleep range 82%-100%, daily average 92.6 to 95.8%, overall 82 -100%

- last 6 months- sleep 74-100%, weekly average 93.3-95.6%, overall range 74-100% (I think a one off blip of 74% was in November 2022 but interestingly daily and weekly averages fairly consistent)

A BhF nurse on running a little of the above past her i.e. this last week readings, said watch not accurate and lower readings not of concern, especially when I said I’m asthmatic- could that be reason for low readings at night?

So whilst don’t really want to spend more money, thought I’d get a finger blood oxygen monitor so can compare a reading. And use whatever margin of error / variance to adjust Watch readings accordingly.

Or could I get comparison at GP surgery or pharmacist? I don’t know anyone who has one so that I can compare without buying!

Any recommendations on monitors and / or thoughts or insight on the above readings, will be most gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

[Yumz199725]

I was advised by my GP to get oximeter and I got one of amazon and its brilliant beeps when your oxygen is low aswell so very accurate.

[Hidden in reply to Yumz199725]

thanks which one was it?

[Yumz199725 in reply to Hidden]

It's called oxipro.

[HenryTudor]

When I’ve had the opportunity to compare my AW readings with an “official” oximeter it’s been plenty accurate enough. All NHS nurses seem to have a downer on smart watches.

A few weeks ago when I described to the HF nurse how I use my AW and Withings scale to manage my own health she was really very rude. She circled her face with her finger and said, “Can you see my sceptical face?” When I said they are medically approved she just shrugged her shoulders.

Likewise many doctors and nurses don’t even like you to use BP meters at home, or finger prick meters for T2 diabetes.

[Hidden in reply to HenryTudor]

difference of opinions can be held and expressed but never calls for rudeness, that’s very rude though.

Thanks for the reassurance on the watch. May be able to save my money, going for an asthma check soon maybe the health assistant might let me compare but probably not if they’re like your HF nurse, they can be a bit dismissive too, the health assistant rarely looks at you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The trouble with all these gadgets they give you an idea but really they should be just used as a guide. I just bought a new blood pressure meter and I like it because it says my blood pressure is low. Any way it does read different to the old one I threw away. That broke being paranoid I wore the pump put, tee hee. The only blood pressure I truly believe in. Is the old fashioned pump up Mercury machines that my doctor use.

[chickeninthewood in reply to HenryTudor]

I had similar. A paramedic came to the house to see our disabled son and I mentioned my pulse oximeter to him. He said "oh they're all rubbish, don't use it". I didn't dare tell him our GP recommended it and when the NHS sent our son antivirals they included another pulse oximeter in the bag! I think the naysayers are a tad jealous if we try and take care of ourselves!

[DoraDora59]

Hello Fishface 101,

I bought this fingertip pulse oximeter from Amazon whilst I was caring for my friend who had terminal cancer. The district nurse said it was better than the ones they were given. It is 50% off at the moment at £9.99.

I hope this is of help to you 😊

Oximeter

[Hidden in reply to DoraDora59]

thank you I will have a look. At that price worth considering, especially with the endorsement of a district nurse,

[Hidden in reply to DoraDora59]

That oximeter was my favourite. But I broke it because iam so paranoid I used sleep with it on my finger. So I broke the hinge. Tee hee. Any way that one is a good one. But I get better readings on my thumb. Is that allowed?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

if it works for you and it’s accurate in your thumb, your call 😊 it’s a good job you’ve got a collection of them, it is a balance between monitor to ensure informed and monitoring a little bit more.

[chickeninthewood in reply to Hidden]

Yes you use it on your right hand on the thumb or fingers

[Hidden in reply to chickeninthewood]

Yes I do find my right hand the best. Even though I am left handed and hospital puts theirs on the left. I will see what theirs reads tomorrow.

[Tos92]

Hi Hidden ,

I hear a lot of the time from medical care staff that the watches are not accurate. I’ve tested my Apple Watch (I have a series 8 btw) against the pulse oximeter which they use at the hospital several times and almost every single time, I have gotten the same pulse rate! I don’t believe anything is 100% accurate, but the watch can be overall, a good indicator for blood oxygen and HR. I think the accuracy also depends on how snug or tight the watch is on your wrist to get a more accurate reading as well. I have a pulse oximeter at home which I just brought off of eBay. However, the at home pulse oximeter and my watch never seem to coincide together when taking a reading!

Hope you find one that works for you

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

thanks for sharing especially experience between Watch and monitor.

, I thought maybe the position of my arm was wrong while sleeping and that affected so I tested arm in different positions when in bed and it is very sensitive in that it just won’t take a reading if it’s not happy rather than take a dodgy reading.

I want to be fairly sure of my watch before I raise with doctor because everything I google (I know) say less than 90% needs attention. But I haven’t found a reliable source yet.

[Tos92 in reply to Hidden]

I agree. The watch can be sensitive!

Yes, I have also read that less than 90% needs attention. If that’s the case, then my oxygen stats drop below 90% consistently when I’m asleep. I think the lowest it’s been is in it’s 70’s however, the doctors don’t seem to be concerned about these drops during sleep unless you’re also suffering with a respiratory problem such as sleep apnea, COPD, asthma and so on. Do you have any symptoms whilst your stats drop during your sleep? i.e. get awoken by shortness of breath?

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

I am asthmatic and take inhalers but well controlled, I struggle to stay asleep (I often wake up more tired) and my insides (leftside and heart) shake / vibrate each time I wake. It’s a very weird feeling. But I don’t wake up short of breath though.

I just rang Asthma & Lung UK nurse and she recommended a call to my GP as didn’t think it was my asthma as it’s well controlled, they may be able to give a monitor at home so can monitor at night but I won’t “hold my breath” that’s any time soon sorry really bad pun 😂

[Tos92 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve stopped sleeping on my left side altogether now and either sleep on my back with a few pillows propped up, or on my right side as I’m worried about what you call this vibration/shaking sensation in the heart upon waking up. Maybe try a different sleeping position?

Ahh yes! You’ll probably be waiting a while before getting a sleep study done.

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

yes sleeping position might help, I try to stay on right side sometimes on back, I’ve got three pillows but I slip down. Do end up on my back for a bit in night. Will look at propping myself up better! One day I hope to treat myself to an adjustable bed!

I guess if I do need a study, best is just getting on the waiting list for now. 😊

[Yumz199725 in reply to Hidden]

I sleep with 4 pillows lol as 3 is too flat for me lol. I try to sleep on right side but always wake up on my left or my back. Yeah it does give you a weird sensation sleeping on your left side I thought that was normal???

[Hidden in reply to Yumz199725]

I’ve removed the word normal from my vocabulary since finding out I have a heart condition😂

[Yumz199725 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah I agree actually and probably should of stopped using that word years ago! 😂😂

[chickeninthewood in reply to Yumz199725]

I was given to understand the heart is a bit compromised if you sleep on your left and I get ectopics if I do but they do stop.

[Hidden in reply to chickeninthewood]

I get some weird shaking and vibrating in the heart / left side if sleep on left have no idea why but agree better on left.

[Hidden]

Take your. Pick they are OK what iam going to do is take one with me when I see my cardiologist and compare it with the hospital. Notice they are all on the same hand. Just another device to cause anxiety. Any way they are a fun toy. They keep me ammused.

Oxygen stat metres

[Tos92 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden ,

You have plenty there! I believe they say you get the best pulse and oxygen blood reading from your index (first finger) and middle finger when using an oximeter. That’s probably why some of the readings are a bit up and down. But I guess these things are never 100%.

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

Funny that the middle finger. That oxymeter is the newest, and the one I like to use. If I really want to cause myself encouragement I put it on my thumb. Remember don't take the reading if hands are cold. But I know for a fact my readings are low. They let me out of hospital with 92%. Any way that's why iam going to take mine to the cardiology clinic and check it against there one. Remember alot of these gadgets are set up for people who have no issues. So if you have issues or where born with issues than you can have different chemical changes. For example my hemoglobin is 185. Which is high. But my body has caused this, to compensate the low oxygen. But they the medical profession are happy with this. So I have to except it.

[Tos92 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, cold fingers can also give an inaccurate reading! I’m sorry to hear about your haemoglobin levels, I hope you’re getting this sorted

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

Well they don't seem too concerned about haemoglobin. Because I need it high. With my condition it is like I was born or manufactured on mount everest. However I do have have blood tests to see if my other organs are functioning OK. But it is what it is. Good job I live in the flat lands of the east coast . Down at sea level. Oh well at gym to try and improve things. And to fight another day. Take care.

[Tos92 in reply to Hidden]

Well a positive outlook always helps which you have! Keep up your high spirits and take care of yourself too

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

You to. It is hard though mentally. But I think it comes with the turf. I suppose having the high haemoglobin was what made the hospital look deeper, that and the low oxygen. It did concern them. But the funny side was that they kept looking at me because I was sitting up laughing, talking and getting bored, playing on my phone, having cups of tea. And I suppose they thought why is this bloke not passed out or worse . Once they found the issue. There attitude was we found it, that's how he was born thats him being normal. Right he can live on 92% oxygen off you go. You will hear from the adult cardiology team. Bye and the rest is history. Now the journey begins.

[Tos92 in reply to Hidden]

Can I ask what your diagnosis is Hidden ? I believe there are people out there, especially those who have COPD and other respiratory issues that have lower saturation levels and seem to function at a reasonable level despite this. Of course, with monitoring of their symptoms.

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

I have epsteins anomoly. Congenital heart defect. A bit rare, usually they catch it in new borns. Yes I am low on the oxygen. But similar to copd figures. It has just been a shock finding out really.

[Tos92 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear that Hidden . I was also diagnosed with a congenital heart defect a year ago now however, I don’t believe it’s as uncommon as yours. Wishing you the best of luck on your journey and recovery

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

Sorry to hear about you aswell. Are you being seen by a congenital heart department?

[Tos92 in reply to Hidden]

Not quite Hidden . It’s a slow progress but I hope to see someone soon.

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

I was quite lucky( depends on what you call luck) the hospital sent a letter so that I was seen quite quick. Well 2 months I suppose is quick these days. Had all the tests that cardiologist wanted and they discussed me at Barts. Do I take positives from this as they want to look after me conservatively with medication. I suppose it will be a watch and see process. It is just the mental side that is taking a hammering. But we all suffer mentally. Some more than others.

[Tos92 in reply to Hidden]

I’m not sure if you were offered cardiac rehab at some point however, that programme does also include elements on how you can manage your mental health on a day to day basis with a diagnosis of a heart condition. Maybe you can mention this to your team.

[Hidden in reply to Tos92]

Thanks for that I will have word. With them. I think it would help. You take care.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Wow, that’s certainly a collection, only noticed different readings on second look. Noting Tos92 explaining different fingers different reading!