Measuring the concentration of oxygen in the blood with a pulse oximeter does not require taking tests or puncturing the tissues of the finger.
At the same time, the device shows accurate and reliable data, if you do not violate the rules for its use. Such a device allows you to control the state of the body without visiting a doctor for everyone.
Short review table of the best Pulse Oximeters for Heart Patients…
Wellue O2 ring | |
Sleep U | |
Santamedical |
Table of Contents
Saturation of Patients with Heart Problems
Saturation shows how efficiently the respiratory, cardiovascular, hematopoietic systems work, and is measured by a pulse oximeter.
Estimating blood oxygen saturation, or saturation, is a non-invasive method for assessing the degree of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the blood.
For this, LEDs of pulse oximeters are used that emit light with a wavelength of 600 nm (red) and 940 nm (infrared). The use of two frequencies makes it possible to distinguish between the absorption spectra of hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin. The sensor is placed on the finger, or on the earlobe
The light is absorbed by arterial and venous blood and the variability of arterial blood pulsation is measured.
The microprocessor of the pulse oximeter calculates the absorption ratios of the red and infrared light spectra at a frequency of 600 measurements per second, and the average data is displayed for 3-5 seconds, with subsequent updates every 0.5-1 seconds. Simultaneously displays the picture of the pulse wave and the heart rate.
However, in some cases, a pulse oximeter is literally indispensable, for example:
Heart failure. People with such a disease must definitely control the state of the body, since well-being is a subjective concept, and the indicator of oxygen concentration in the blood accurately reflects the situation.
Heart failure is a pathological condition that occurs when the contractile function of the heart decreases, leading to stagnation of blood in organs and tissues and oxygen deficiency.
The doctor should understand well what information a patient with a heart failure receives with the help of pulse oximeter device.
It determines what percentage of oxygen, on average, binds to each hemoglobin molecule. At the same time, the method does not allow to determine and does not replace the assessment of the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood, the oxygen content in the blood, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, respiratory rates and volumes, cardiac output and blood pressure.
Pulse oximetry is especially valuable for determining FiO2, especially when the patient is not breathing ambient air (21%) and even mechanically ventilated.
When evaluating SO2 values, this information is extremely important. In addition, instruments are calibrated for values up to 80%, lower values are based on extrapolation as they correspond to extreme conditions.
The SO2 measurement is affected by a decrease in peripheral arterial pulsation in peripheral vasoconstriction (hypovolemia, severe hypotension, heart failure, some types of arrhythmias) or peripheral vascular disease. In such cases, the received signal is inadequate for a full-fledged analysis.
Venous congestion, especially due to tricuspid regurgitation, can lead to venous pulsation and interfere with earlobe saturation measurements.
With stagnation in the extremities, the reading of the signal may also be impaired (in this case, the location of the sensor should be changed). If the shape of the pulse curve is acceptable, then you can trust the readings of the pulse oximeter.
Best pulse oximeter for Heart patients
The Wellue O2 Ring is a silicone ring pulse oximeter with an integrated SpO2 sensor to measure oxygen saturation and it has a heart rate sensor.
The tracker ring is an additional device for monitoring the health of people with heart and lung diseases, sleep apnea attacks. The pulse oximeter has a built-in vibration alert system for changes in blood oxygen levels and heart rate for user feedback. And also O2 Ring uses Bluetooth Low Energy to connect to the phone.
The tracker ring can be worn throughout the day, but will be most beneficial at night, especially for people who experience episodes of obstructive sleep apnea, the main manifestation of which is snoring.
In obstructive sleep apnea, the level of oxygen saturation in the blood drops and hypoxia occurs. The O2 Ring responds to changes in oxygen levels with a vibration that helps wake the wearer to change their position to a more comfortable position or to breathe and fall asleep again.
The tracker ring stores up to 40 hours of information about the level of oxygen in the blood, heart rate and movements during sleep.
You can sync O2 Ring data with the ViHealth app by installing it on your phone.
In the application, you can set the vibration volume level so as not to wake the sleeping person nearby, as well as oxygen thresholds and heart rate, after consulting with the doctor.
For example, for a user with COPD, a blood oxygen saturation threshold of 70 to 80% can be set, depending on the stage of the disease. The ViHealth application graphically shows the level of O2 saturation in blood as a percentage and how much time the user has been in, for example, in hypoxia.
Wellue recommends wearing the tracker ring on your middle and thumb. Due to its flexibility and the silicone material of the rim, O2 Ring sizes range from 50-82mm.
The pulse oximeter has a built-in lithium polymer rechargeable battery, which provides the device with up to 12-16 hours of continuous operation. The O2 Ring comes with a USB cable and instructions.
What else can influence the measurements of pulse oximeters?
It should be noted that pulse oximetry is not able to distinguish between forms of hemoglobin. The presence of methemoglobin may interfere with measurements.
A false decrease in saturation occurs when methylene blue is administered for therapeutic purposes, when using some varnishes and gel nails. The opinion on the effect of skin color on the results of pulse oximetry is ambiguous and depends on the degree of hypoxemia, the location of the sensor and the type of device. Jaundice and anemia do not interfere with the accuracy of the saturation assessment, while with sickle cell anemia, deviations of up to 8% are possible.
Best pulse oximeter with heart rate
In many cases, indicators such as saturation and pulse give the specialist a general idea of person’s condition:
- Saturation of peripheral blood with oxygen.
A deviation of this indicator from the norm may indicate problems with breathing, as well as cardiovascular activity. The device allows you to identify this even before the appearance of other symptoms. Indirect signs of lack of oxygen are blue skin, changes in heart rate, weakness and deterioration in the general condition of the body .
2.Pulse rate
]This value shows the heart rate, however, in some cases, the indicators of electrocardiography and pulse oximetry differ.
The explanation for this is the different elasticity of the vessels, blockage of the lumen of the vessel, etc.
Despite this, the pulse oximeter indirectly indicates the state of the heart and helps to identify some disorders. To obtain more accurate information, it is necessary that monitoring be carried out for 3-5 minutes, although the instructions indicate a sufficient time of 10-20 seconds.
Our Top Pick pulse oximeter with heart rate is Sleep U Pulse Oximeter.
This pulse oximeter continuously can measure your blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and frequent body movements at night.
Pulse oximeter Sleep U has 3 warning systems, which are manifested by an audible signal in the event of:
- Appearances of cardiac arrhythmias are cardiac arrhythmias accompanied by a change in the frequency, regularity and sequence of myocardial contractions.
- Reducing the saturation index to a critical level.
- Battery discharge.
The reading time of the results of SleepU the calculation of with the appearance of data on the display takes 20 -30 seconds.
It has a silent vibration instead of annoying audible beeping. It has Vibration For Low Oxygen Levels. It has 3 warning system
It is rechargeable. The pulse oximeter has a built-in lithium polymer rechargeable battery.
SleepU is made of high-strength materials, is waterproof, and does not break after being dropped.
Removable silicone covers are used to protect against mechanical damage and water.
Best pulse oximeter with respiratory rate
Dr Trust Professional pulse oximeter with audio-visual alarm and respiration rate.
First on the list is Dr Trust’s high-end heart rate, respiration, and SpO2 meter and waterproof oximeter. The Dr Trust Professional Series pulse oximeter also comes with a digital thermometer as a free bonus.
This device can measure not only the level of SpO2 in the blood, but also the heart rate in the body.
The device accurately controls and feels the pulse and heartbeat. The perfusion index (the ability to measure even the smallest of impulses) of this device is 0.2. Whereas in conventional devices it can be 0.6. This makes it one of the best devices for measuring not only SpO2 levels but also heart rate.
In addition, it can also measure a person’s breathing rate. That is, it measures the frequency with which a person breathes, and this makes it possible to understand how healthy a person’s lungs are.
The alarm function helps alert you when the battery is low or when saturation levels are turned off by standards.
What we liked:
- Can measure SpO2 levels, pulse and respiratory index
- Large and clear display
- Anti-motion free operation
- Battery level indicator
- IP22 makes the device waterproof
- One button operation
- Batteries included
- Free digital thermometer
FAQ
Do all pulse oximeters have an automatic power off feature?
After a few seconds of inactivity, devices turn off as most are designed to save power. But not all pulse oximeters have this feature.
Does the pulse oximeter measure CO2 retention?
The pulse oximeter only measures blood oxygen and pulse rate, it does not measure CO2.
How accurate are finger pulse oximeters?
Oxygen levels from a pulse oximeter are fairly accurate. Based on your saturation level, it gives a reading with an error of ±2%.
What is a normal SpO2 level?
Good levels of oxygen in the blood are needed to supply the muscles with the energy they need to function, which increases during exercise. Poor blood oxygenation occurs when the SpO2 value is below 95%.
Normal SpO2 values range from 95 to 100%.