pulse oximeter

[bowls12]

I have a leaky aortic valve and get very out of breath when walking far and playing bowls. My cardiologist does not think that the leaky valve is the cause of being out of breath, waiting cor a myocardial perfusion test to see if there are other problems.

Any experience of using a pulse oximeter to monitor blood oxygen when exercising,and being out of breath, would be useful.

[sandandkev]

I use a pulseox quite often,if my heart rate is rapid( have had af) then I sit down with pulseox just to make sure it goes back down

[bowls12 in reply to sandandkev]

Thank you

[fishonabike]

this may sound like an odd response but rather than monitor the issue when it happens, would it be a good idea to avoid the activities which cause it until you have had further tests?

if your heart is struggling during some activities and you continue with them you increase the risk of a serious incident - so may try to slow down and exercise more gently, staying within your limits for now, without retiring to the the couch altogether

[bowls12 in reply to fishonabike]

Thank you the idea of monitoring is so that I fo not over exercise. My cardiologist says that indoor bowls should be OK

[fishonabike in reply to bowls12]

fine, but by the time your blood oxygen levels go down your heart is already struggling - it's better to reduce the demands you make on the heart so that it can function without struggling until you are clearer about the cause - you know what causes the symptoms and by now have an idea of what sort of effort brings them on, so staying just below that level of activity is better than waiting for signs like lower oxygen levels and pain - and it saves splashing out on a piece of kit which has limited use

[bowls12 in reply to fishonabike]

Thank you

[MoretonCross in reply to fishonabike]

That all sounds extremely sensible to me. Very good advice 👌

[bowls12 in reply to MoretonCross]

Thank you

[Survivor1952]

Pulseoximeter was used with me initially when I was at rehab following my surgery. Before my AVR, CABG and 2xPCI I was getting incredibly breathless walking just a couple of hundred yards. I'd have to stop and rest for 5 minutes, I couldn't even go to the local shop without having to stop in both directions.

I got my own and used it when I was recovering, I was cautioned that the pulse reading may not be 100% reliable though. I'm now 15 months or so post op and fighting fit (well, for a 72 year old anyway), I do a 5k organised run most weeks and, apart from still being on some drugs (2 for cholesterol control and 3 for blood pressure/heart), I lead a totally normal life.

[bowls12 in reply to Survivor1952]

Thank you