Blood oxygen levels are the new wearable technology statistic, and it will completely transform everything. Pulse oxygen levels identify sleep apnea despite their complexity and seeming meaninglessness, and they can help athletes recover.
By discussing the measurement of blood oxygen levels, often known as Sp02, we are entering the realm of medical technology. The original version of this technology was a clip-on gadget that was fastened to a finger, toe, or even the lobe of your ear. Although simple, this method had some drawbacks, including the necessity for specialist equipment and the fact that most people overlooked the significance of blood oxygen measurement.
Delays in blood oxygen level monitoring and, finally, delayed hospitalization, were significant causes of death during COVID-19’s second wave. So, not just the smartwatch sector but also other industries saw a shift at this time. As more people became aware of the blood oxygen level, more and more manufacturers of smartwatches began including it into their designs.
Pulse oximetry, often known as blood oxygen levels, measures the saturation of the blood with oxygen. Since its absence might result in mortality, oxygen is likely the sixth vital sign to be checked in a medical setting.
Clinical conditions frequently result in cells receiving insufficient oxygen, which has a direct impact on their metabolism and, in severe circumstances, can be fatal. Thus, measurements of blood oxygen levels are essential in medical research. The measurement of blood oxygen is one of many health benefits provided by smartwatches, which can help you improve your overall health without visiting a doctor.
Given all of this, one would question what the wristwatch actually performs when it checks blood oxygen levels. Are the Sp02 test findings trustworthy? It’s critical to understand how a smartwatch analyzes blood oxygen levels before you can respond to those queries.
Typically, a smartwatch’s blood oxygen measurement feature will inform you of your level of health based on the oxygen saturation of your arterial blood. The level of oxygen in the blood in combination with hemoglobin is referred to as blood oxygen saturation. Similar to acupressure, using a smartwatch to test blood oxygen has the difference that the wrist is the part of the body that is lighted by the light.
Red light reflected off of subcutaneous tissue or bone is projected onto the human surface as the smartwatch analyzes the blood oxygen level. The smartwatch’s sensor receives the light after it has been reflected from bone or subcutaneous tissue and is able to distinguish between reflected and emitting light.
A blood oxygen level can tell whether someone can keep up with strenuous physical activity, whether they require a ventilator to help them breathe, and whether they have breathing problems while they are asleep. The majority of those factors make this feature on smartwatches significantly more convenient. The ability to perform the blood oxygen test using a smartwatch whenever and wherever rather than bringing additional medical equipment is a significant benefit of using one for this assessment. While on a trek or in the office, it could be tough to carry a typical pulse oximeter.
Blood oxygen levels greater than 95% as determined by the Sp02 typically indicate normal health. If the result is 92% or less, it might be time to see a doctor and have a closer look. Find out if there are any undiagnosed health problems present. For instance, measuring blood oxygen levels can be quite beneficial in the case of sleep apnea. If ignored or undiagnosed, sleep apnea can cause excessive blood pressure, obesity, and even a heart attack.
Smartwatch blood oxygen measurement features are currently not FDA or NMPA certified, making them ineligible to make medical diagnoses. Consumer goods and medical goods adhere to distinct requirements in terms of accuracy. The performance of smartwatches for blood oxygen measurement demonstrates that, despite growing accuracy, they still fall short of medical-grade apparatus.
While smartwatches cannot supply you with precise, undeniable measures, they do provide you more than enough information to determine whether you need to see a doctor and raise your blood’s oxygen levels. For instance, watches can provide information about your health that doctors might utilize to decide on your treatment strategy.
Smartwatches may not be able to detect blood oxygen levels to medical standards, but they can nonetheless give you important health-related information. Smartwatches can be used to track your body’s overall health and determine when it’s time to visit the doctor and request specific and thorough tests.
Smartwatches help you stay on top of your health and are more than simply a trendy accessory or a method to never miss an alert. They are a great option because they can undoubtedly provide helpful insight into the blood oxygen levels as well as vital signs as a whole.