A person’s blood oxygen level is the amount of oxygen that is circulating in their blood. Red blood cells collect most of this oxygen from the lungs and carry it to different parts of the body. During an asthma exacerbation, or asthma attack, a person may have lower blood oxygen levels, as asthma can reduce the body’s capacity to take in oxygen.
By measuring their blood oxygen levels, a person can get an idea of how well their body distributes oxygen from the lungs to their cells. This can be useful because it helps someone closely monitor their respiratory health.
This article discusses how asthma affects a person’s blood oxygen levels. It also looks at normal oxygen levels in the blood, how to measure the levels of oxygen in the blood, and what to do if those levels are too low.
A normal blood oxygen level for an adult without asthma is 75–100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
If a doctor is using a pulse oximeter to measure the blood oxygen level (SpO₂), a normal level would read 95% or more, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
A normal blood oxygen level for an adult without asthma is 75–100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
If a doctor is using a pulse oximeter to measure the blood oxygen level (SpO₂), a normal level would read 95% or more, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
Medical professionals consider low oxygen levels to be in the region of 65 mm Hg. This corresponds to an oxygen saturation level of 92% in both adults and children. This can cause a number of issues, so it is important that a person knows what to do if their oxygen levels become too low.
Medical professionals consider low oxygen levels to be in the region of 65 mm Hg. This corresponds to an oxygen saturation level of 92% in both adults and children. This can cause a number of issues, so it is important that a person knows what to do if their oxygen levels become too low.
When a person’s blood oxygen levels are low, medical professionals refer to this as hypoxemia.
Having hypoxemia means that the body is unable to deliver the correct levels of oxygen to all of its cells, tissues, and organs. This can be a concern, as lower oxygen levels can cause complications in body tissues and organs.
Some common symptoms of hypoxemia include:
- shortness of breath
- a fast heartbeat
- headaches
- confusion
When a person’s blood oxygen levels are low, medical professionals refer to this as hypoxemia.
Having hypoxemia means that the body is unable to deliver the correct levels of oxygen to all of its cells, tissues, and organs. This can be a concern, as lower oxygen levels can cause complications in body tissues and organs.
Some common symptoms of hypoxemia include:
- shortness of breath
- a fast heartbeat
- headaches
- confusion
Should a person use a pulse oximeter to manage their asthma?
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that there are no data that demonstrate that monitoring oxygen levels with an oximeter will help a person manage their asthma.
Pulse oximeters allow people to measure their blood oxygen levels continuously. However, they can provide inaccurate readings, and they do not provide as much information on other gases, such as carbon dioxide, in the blood.
Pulse oximeters can be accurate within 2–4%. This means that the reading can be 2% or 4% lower or higher than the person’s actual oxygen levels.
A number of factors can reduce the accuracy of these readings, including:
- nail varnish or nail polish
- particular dyes that medical professionals use in other diagnostic tests
- shivering, shaking, or other bodily motions
- skin temperature
- skin thickness
- tobacco smoke
In addition, 2020 research found that a person’s skin pigmentation can affect the readings. The researchers noted that pulse oximetry fails to detect low oxygen saturation more often in Black people than in white people.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that there are no data that demonstrate that monitoring oxygen levels with an oximeter will help a person manage their asthma.
Pulse oximeters allow people to measure their blood oxygen levels continuously. However, they can provide inaccurate readings, and they do not provide as much information on other gases, such as carbon dioxide, in the blood.
Pulse oximeters can be accurate within 2–4%. This means that the reading can be 2% or 4% lower or higher than the person’s actual oxygen levels.
A number of factors can reduce the accuracy of these readings, including:
- nail varnish or nail polish
- particular dyes that medical professionals use in other diagnostic tests
- shivering, shaking, or other bodily motions
- skin temperature
- skin thickness
- tobacco smoke
In addition, 2020 research found that a person’s skin pigmentation can affect the readings. The researchers noted that pulse oximetry fails to detect low oxygen saturation more often in Black people than in white people.
- difficulty breathing
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- difficulty breathing
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
What to know about pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is an abnormal blood pressure increase in the pulmonary artery. This vital blood vessel provides oxygen rich blood to the lungs from the right-hand side of the heart.
If hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs near the lungs in a person’s circulation, it is likely to get worse and cause serious health problems.
Pulmonary hypertension is not the same as hypertension. Hypertension involves high blood pressure across a range of bodily systems and mainly affects the wider circulatory system.
A person’s pulmonary blood pressure should range from 8–20 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) while resting.
Doctors define pulmonary hypertension as pulmonary artery pressure that is higher than 25 mm Hg .
Pulmonary hypertension is an abnormal blood pressure increase in the pulmonary artery. This vital blood vessel provides oxygen rich blood to the lungs from the right-hand side of the heart.
If hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs near the lungs in a person’s circulation, it is likely to get worse and cause serious health problems.
Pulmonary hypertension is not the same as hypertension. Hypertension involves high blood pressure across a range of bodily systems and mainly affects the wider circulatory system.
A person’s pulmonary blood pressure should range from 8–20 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) while resting.
Doctors define pulmonary hypertension as pulmonary artery pressure that is higher than 25 mm Hg .
Pulmonary hypertension is an abnormal blood pressure increase in the pulmonary artery. This vital blood vessel provides oxygen rich blood to the lungs from the right-hand side of the heart.
If hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs near the lungs in a person’s circulation, it is likely to get worse and cause serious health problems.
Pulmonary hypertension is not the same as hypertension. Hypertension involves high blood pressure across a range of bodily systems and mainly affects the wider circulatory system.
A person’s pulmonary blood pressure should range from
Doctors define pulmonary hypertension as pulmonary artery pressure that is higher than
Pulmonary hypertension is an abnormal blood pressure increase in the pulmonary artery. This vital blood vessel provides oxygen rich blood to the lungs from the right-hand side of the heart.
If hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs near the lungs in a person’s circulation, it is likely to get worse and cause serious health problems.
Pulmonary hypertension is not the same as hypertension. Hypertension involves high blood pressure across a range of bodily systems and mainly affects the wider circulatory system.
A person’s pulmonary blood pressure should range from
Doctors define pulmonary hypertension as pulmonary artery pressure that is higher than
Types
The main symptom of pulmonary hypertension is shortness of breath, or dyspnea. Breathlessness can affect a person’s ability to walk, talk, and physically exert themselves.
Some other primary symptoms include fatigue, fainting, and dizziness.
It is important to note that pulmonary hypertension might produce no symptoms at all until the condition reaches a more severe stage.
The main symptom of pulmonary hypertension is shortness of breath, or dyspnea. Breathlessness can affect a person’s ability to walk, talk, and physically exert themselves.
Some other primary symptoms include fatigue, fainting, and dizziness.
It is important to note that pulmonary hypertension might produce no symptoms at all until the condition reaches a more severe stage.
Complications
Right sided heart failure, also known as cor pulmonale, is the main complication of pulmonary hypertension.
The back pressure on the heart and the increased effort needed to maintain blood flow can lead to a heart disease called right ventricular hypertrophy.
This causes a collapse in the right ventricle of the heart due to thickened arterial walls. This causes the heart to overwork, the ventricle to get bigger, and blood pressure to increase.
This is a life threatening complication, as it can lead to heart failure. Heart failure is the main cause of death for people with pulmonary hypertension.
Other complications include blood entering the lungs and coughing up blood, or hemoptysis. Both of these complications can be fatal.
Blood clots and an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, are other possible complications of pulmonary hypertension.
If a person suspects that they have pulmonary hypertension, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Receiving prompt medical help can reduce the risk and severity of complications.
Right sided heart failure, also known as cor pulmonale, is the
main complication of pulmonary hypertension.The back pressure on the heart and the increased effort needed to maintain blood flow can lead to a heart disease called right ventricular hypertrophy.
This causes a collapse in the right ventricle of the heart due to thickened arterial walls. This causes the heart to overwork, the ventricle to get bigger, and blood pressure to increase.
This is a life threatening complication, as it can lead to heart failure. Heart failure is the main cause of death for people with pulmonary hypertension.
Other complications include blood entering the lungs and coughing up blood, or hemoptysis. Both of these complications can be fatal.
Blood clots and an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, are other possible complications of pulmonary hypertension.
If a person suspects that they have pulmonary hypertension, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Receiving prompt medical help can reduce the risk and severity of complications.
The thickening of the blood vessel walls in the lung causes pulmonary hypertension.
This narrows the space within the vessel through which blood can travel, increasing the pressure.
A complex set of factors leads to the thickening of blood vessels in the lungs, including:
- problems with connective tissue, such as sclerosis
- congenital heart anomalies, or structural issues that have been present since birth
- inherited genetic causes, such as a BMPR2 gene mutation
- the use of drugs or other toxins
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis, which occurs due to scarring of the liver
- long term kidney failure
- HIV
- pulmonary embolism, wherein blood clots form in or move to the lungs
- sarcoidosis, in which the immune system causes lumps to form in organs throughout the body
- sickle cell anemia
- lung tumors
- metabolic disorders, including thyroid disorders
- left heart diseases, such as heart valve disease and aortic stenosis
- parasitic infection, including tapeworms such as Echinococcus
- lung diseases such as COPD
- regular exposure to high altitudes
The thickening of the blood vessel walls in the lung causes pulmonary hypertension.
This narrows the space within the vessel through which blood can travel, increasing the pressure.
A complex set of factors leads to the thickening of blood vessels in the lungs, including:
- problems with connective tissue, such as sclerosis
- congenital heart anomalies, or structural issues that have been present since birth
- inherited genetic causes, such as a BMPR2 gene mutation
- the use of drugs or other toxins
- liver disease, such as cirrhosis, which occurs due to scarring of the liver
- long term kidney failure
- HIV
- pulmonary embolism, wherein blood clots form in or move to the lungs
- sarcoidosis, in which the immune system causes lumps to form in organs throughout the body
- sickle cell anemia
- lung tumors
- metabolic disorders, including thyroid disorders
- left heart diseases, such as heart valve disease and aortic stenosis
- parasitic infection, including tapeworms such as Echinococcus
- lung diseases such as COPD
- regular exposure to high altitudes
A range of factors can cause pulmonary hypertension, and the condition may occur alongside different types of heart or lung disease. As a result, the cause of the pulmonary hypertension can often be difficult to diagnose.
A doctor will ask about family and medical history and carry out a physical exam.
If they suspect that a person has pulmonary hypertension, they will usually suggest a series of tests, including:
- A chest X-ray: A doctor usually combines this with CT or MRI scans to help find the underlying cause of pulmonary hypertension.
- Electrocardiogram: This measures the electrical activity of the heart.
- Right sided heart catheterization: This measures pulmonary blood pressure.
A doctor diagnoses pulmonary hypertension when the pressure in the pulmonary artery is
The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) allows a doctor to assess the progression of pulmonary hypertension and assign a stage to the condition. Staging demonstrates the severity of the condition on a scale of 1 to 4.
Stage 1 refers to a symptomless presentation of the condition, in which physical activity does not cause discomfort. Stage 4 means that a person experiences the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension even while at rest.
The 6MWT measures how far a person with suspected pulmonary hypertension can walk in 6 minutes, as well as how their body responds to the activity.
After staging the condition, the doctor will devise an appropriate treatment plan. They can also use the 6MWT to gauge the outlook of the condition.
A range of factors can cause pulmonary hypertension, and the condition may occur alongside different types of heart or lung disease. As a result, the cause of the pulmonary hypertension can often be difficult to diagnose.
A doctor will ask about family and medical history and carry out a physical exam.
If they suspect that a person has pulmonary hypertension, they will usually suggest a series of tests, including:
- A chest X-ray: A doctor usually combines this with CT or MRI scans to help find the underlying cause of pulmonary hypertension.
- Electrocardiogram: This measures the electrical activity of the heart.
- Right sided heart catheterization: This measures pulmonary blood pressure.
A doctor diagnoses pulmonary hypertension when the pressure in the pulmonary artery is
higher than 25 mm Hg at rest or 30 mm Hg during exertion. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) allows a doctor to assess the progression of pulmonary hypertension and assign a stage to the condition. Staging demonstrates the severity of the condition on a scale of 1 to 4.
Stage 1 refers to a symptomless presentation of the condition, in which physical activity does not cause discomfort. Stage 4 means that a person experiences the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension even while at rest.
The 6MWT measures how far a person with suspected pulmonary hypertension can walk in 6 minutes, as well as how their body responds to the activity.
After staging the condition, the doctor will devise an appropriate treatment plan. They can also use the 6MWT to gauge the outlook of the condition.
Treatment for pulmonary hypertension depends on the underlying cause, any co-occurring health problems, and the severity of the condition.
Therapies that may help a person manage their condition include low intensity exercise such as walking. This can help them improve their capacity for physical exertion.
Continuous oxygen therapy may be necessary to help maintain oxygen saturation in the blood, especially among those who also have lung disease.
During a high altitude flight, people may need oxygen therapy to compensate for reduced the oxygen levels.
In oxygen therapy, a doctor administers additional oxygen from outside the body. They will deliver the oxygen from a tank through an oxygen mask or tubes in the nose and windpipe.
Doctors also use oxygen to treat chronic obstruction pulmonary disease. Here, learn more.
Treatment for pulmonary hypertension depends on the underlying cause, any co-occurring health problems, and the severity of the condition.
Therapies that may help a person manage their condition include low intensity exercise such as walking. This can help them improve their capacity for physical exertion.
Continuous oxygen therapy may be necessary to help maintain oxygen saturation in the blood, especially among those who also have lung disease.
During a high altitude flight, people may need oxygen therapy to compensate for reduced the oxygen levels.
In oxygen therapy, a doctor administers additional oxygen from outside the body. They will deliver the oxygen from a tank through an oxygen mask or tubes in the nose and windpipe.
Doctors also use oxygen to treat chronic obstruction pulmonary disease. Here, learn more.
Drugs for pulmonary hypertension
Several drugs, either in isolation or in combination with each other, can support the management of pulmonary hypertension. For example:
- Diuretics: These help a person reduce fluid retention and swelling. They are also known as water pills.
- Digoxin: A person can use these to manage heart failure. Digoxin helps control heart rate and rhythm and increases the amount of blood that the heart can pump with each heartbeat.
- Blood thinning drugs such as warfarin: These can help reduce the risk of blood clots, which are more likely in people with pulmonary hypertension.
- Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem: These help the blood vessels widen to improve blood flow.
- Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors: These also increase blood flow by making blood vessels wider. Sildenafil is one example of a PDE5 inhibitor.
- Endothelin receptor antagonists such as bosentan and ambrisentan: These limit the constriction of arteries that can develop when a person has too much natural peptide.
Inhaled options, such as iloprost (Ventavis) or treprostinil (Tyvaso), can help relieve breathlessness.
Several drugs, either in isolation or in combination with each other, can support the management of pulmonary hypertension. For example:
- Diuretics: These help a person reduce fluid retention and swelling. They are also known as water pills.
- Digoxin: A person can use these to manage heart failure. Digoxin helps control heart rate and rhythm and increases the amount of blood that the heart can pump with each heartbeat.
- Blood thinning drugs such as warfarin: These can help reduce the risk of blood clots, which are more likely in people with pulmonary hypertension.
- Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem: These help the blood vessels widen to improve blood flow.
- Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors: These also increase blood flow by making blood vessels wider. Sildenafil is one example of a PDE5 inhibitor.
- Endothelin receptor antagonists such as bosentan and ambrisentan: These limit the constriction of arteries that can develop when a person has too much natural peptide.
Inhaled options, such as iloprost (Ventavis) or treprostinil (Tyvaso), can help relieve breathlessness.
Surgical solutions
More invasive treatments may be necessary when medication is not having the desired effect.
Surgical options include:
- Atrial septostomy: In this procedure, a surgeon will introduce a shunt to the area between the heart chambers. This improves the output of the heart while a person awaits transplant surgery.
- Lung transplant: This is a procedure to replace one lung or both lungs.
- A combined heart and lung transplant: This procedure is an intensive double transplant.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is one presentation of high blood pressure in the lungs that also involves a number of blood clots in the arteries.
Some people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension may undergo a procedure called a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. This is specialized heart surgery to remove blood clots from coronary arteries.
More invasive treatments may be necessary when medication is not having the desired effect.
Surgical options include:
- Atrial septostomy: In this procedure, a surgeon will introduce a shunt to the area between the heart chambers. This improves the output of the heart while a person awaits transplant surgery.
- Lung transplant: This is a procedure to replace one lung or both lungs.
- A combined heart and lung transplant: This procedure is an intensive double transplant.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is one presentation of high blood pressure in the lungs that also involves a number of blood clots in the arteries.
Some people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension may undergo a procedure called a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. This is specialized heart surgery to remove blood clots from coronary arteries.
Q:
A:
Since general hypertension can cause left sided heart failure, it can contribute to pulmonary hypertension. Other heart conditions — such as aortic valve disease, mitral valve disease, and congenital heart disease — can also contribute to pulmonary hypertension.
Brenda B. Spriggs, M.D. FACP Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
- Source - Medical News Today
Since general hypertension can cause left sided heart failure, it can contribute to pulmonary hypertension. Other heart conditions — such as aortic valve disease, mitral valve disease, and congenital heart disease — can also contribute to pulmonary hypertension.
Brenda B. Spriggs, M.D. FACP Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.- Source - Medical News Today
