not sure what to make of this

[Fanfab1]

hello

I was per Apple Watch getting low blood oxygen readings ranging 88% to 97% most nights. So I asked my GP and he referred me for a sleep test. This came back as no signs of significant sleep apnea but there can be other respiratory causes so ma on waiting list for an appointment to see consultant. That’s was I think summer 2022 or early 2023. Periodically I get a text asking me if I still feel I need an appointment - last time I wrote well I’m still consistently getting such readings so I leave the decision to yourselves.

Last night I thought I’d experiment and I wore an oxipro oximeter all night on my left hand first finger and went to go to sleep….the alarm went off two or three times whilst I was falling asleep, went off couple of times in the night and then when I’d woken but half asleep dozing in bed. I tried to look each time so admittedly my sleep was more broken but it ranged from 91% to 93%, heart rate in 70’s and 80’s so not high / racing. But when I wake repeatedly during night (my norm) my heart is usually pounding with a sort of quivering / vibrating / agitated sensation. Not at all relaxed but not always racing. These readings appear consistent with the Apple Watch.

I’m also getting flip flopping sensations in my chest left side in the day on exertion anc at rest. Flip flopping seems to be the best description. I usually have a pounding / thumping heart beat that I can feel in chest, neck and head.

I think my question is should I be raising the low readings again hoping I get an appointment soon?

if anyone has any thoughts / comments based on their experience, I’d welcome them.

I’m not worried but I can’t ignore the readings and now with the new heart sensations I don’t want to ignore any more.

Cheers👍

[SpeedyH]

If I was in your position regarding my breathing, I would not be unduly worried. 97% sats is perfectly fine and everyone experiences some degree of apnoea episodes during the various stages of sleep so 88% is not unusual. The worry would be if your sats were at the lower reading for a significant length of time during the night and your sleep study showed that not to be the case.

Having said that, you are also experiencing heart symptoms which need checking out by your GP. Likely there is no problem, but not knowing will be making you anxious which will make your symptoms worse.

[Fanfab1 in reply to SpeedyH]

Thanks for responding, that’s reassuring, I’m awaiting 24 ecg test.

My routine symptoms are angina (chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue) on moving - however minimal the exertion, but it can relieve when sit / rest except the new flip flop sensations. Pain level usually 5 to 6, increasing to about 7 / 8 on occasion dependent on how silly I’ve been. It’s my norm, there are no meds to help and surgery is not an option. I learn to live with it, but yes not knowing if the new palpitations are nothing to worry about is on my mind.

👍

[Hidden in reply to Fanfab1]

My mother had angina pain and the doctor prescribed nitroglycerin tablets to put under the tongue, which is to relieve any pain and symptoms with the heart.

[Fanfab1 in reply to Hidden]

with my condition I’m not prescribed nitroglycerin in any form as make the angina worse😔