This pulse oximetry test is used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) of the blood. It is an easy, painless measure of how well oxygen is being sent to parts of your body furthest from your heart, such as the arms and legs. A clip-like device called a probe is placed on a body part, such as a finger or ear lobe. The probe uses light to measure how much oxygen is in the blood. This information helps the healthcare provider decide if a person needs extra oxygen. Pulse oximetry is also used to check the health of a person with any condition that affects blood oxygen levels, such as: Heart attack, Heart failure, COVID-19, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Anemia, Lung cancer, Asthma, Pneumonia. Your healthcare provider may have other reasons to advise pulse oximetry. |