Pulse Oximeter Report to Test for Obstructive Sleep Anpea and Snoring (2024)

FAQs

What are the oximeter results for sleep apnea? ›

When the percentage of oxygen saturation falls below 94%, that is called a desaturation. If the total number of desaturations divided by the total time is 5 or more desaturations per hour, then that is considered mild sleep apnea.

Overnight pulse oximetry is a test that can help you and your healthcare provider evaluate your breathing while you sleep. The test can suggest certain sleep disorders like sleep apnea or more serious lung conditions like emphysema.

Sleep Apnea and Blood Oxygen Levels

Understandably, apneas can lead to oxygen desaturation — a significant decrease in blood oxygen levels. For reference, a normal, healthy person should have a blood oxygen level of 95 – 100%. OSA may cause a decrease of 3 – 4%.

Untreated OSA will lead to cardiovascular, metabolic and neurocognitive morbidities, and increased risk of motor vehicle accidents. Overnight pulse oximetry alone is often used and also a good screening tool in the primary care setting.

The normal perfusion index (PI) ranges from 0.02% to 20%. If the perfusion index is at or below 0.4% showing weak pulse strength, then the oximeter reading can be unreliable. Peripheral artery diseases, diabetes, obesity, blood clots, etc.

Normal and Dangerous Oxygen Levels During Sleep

Normal blood oxygen levels vary from person to person, but for most it's around 95% to 100% regardless of whether they are asleep or awake. A blood oxygen level below 92% may be a cause for concern, while a level below 88% requires prompt medical attention.

During apnea events the body is denied oxygen. Normal blood oxygenation is at 90%- 95%. An apnea event can drive that level into the 80's% or even 70's%.

Not all snorers have apnea, but the two often go hand-in-hand. As snoring gets louder, chances of having sleep apnea are greater and greater. If you have apnea, your bed partner might notice that the snores are punctuated by pauses in breathing. Those are apnea episodes, and they can recur hundreds of times a night.

Tests to detect obstructive sleep apnea include: Polysomnography. During this sleep study, you're hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity and breathing patterns while you sleep.

Oxygen saturation levels below 90% are considered harmful. Usually, treatment is directed at correcting the apnea, which will in turn prevent hypoxemia. Unfortunately, many patients fail or are not candidates for nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or surgical correction of their OSA.

What are the numbers for obstructive sleep apnea? ›

The severity of OSA is determined by an index – Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) or Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI), if PSG is preformed, or Respiratory Event Index (REI) if OCST is performed. AHI or REI <5/hour = normal (for adults); 5–14.9/hour = mild OSA; 15–29.9/hour = moderate OSA; and ≥30/hour = severe OSA.

All patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) greater than 15 are considered eligible for CPAP, regardless of symptomatology. For patients with an AHI of 5-14.9, CPAP is indicated only if the patient has one of the following: excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.

How Do I Know I Have OSA? The gold standard for diagnosis is a Polysomnography (PSG), or, sleep study. This test is performed while the patient is asleep at a sleep laboratory, and monitors brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate and breathing, as well as eye and leg movements.

The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is the combined average number of apneas and hypopneas that occur per hour of sleep. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) it is categorized into mild (5-15 events/hour), moderate (15-30 events/hr), and severe (> 30 events/hr) (1).

People should contact a health care provider if their oxygen saturation readings drop below 92%, as it may be a sign of hypoxia, a condition in which not enough oxygen reaches the body's tissues. If blood oxygen saturation levels fall to 88% or lower, seek immediate medical attention, says Dr. Lutchmansingh.

An ideal oxygen level is between 96% and 99% and an ideal heart rate is between 50 and 90 beats per minute (bpm). The oxygen level may be lower in some people with lung conditions, even when they are feeling well. If you have an existing lung condition, please check with your doctor about what your readings should be.

The NYC Health Department advises that an oxygen saturation of 91–94% might indicate a medical problem. A person should contact a doctor if their pulse oximeter indicates that their oxygen saturation is in this range. A reading of 90% or less can be a medical emergency, and a person should seek immediate medical help.