COPD and blood oxygen levels

[babysister2010]

My sister was diagnosed with COPD 4 years ago.  She is 55, and a smoker.  I have watched her go from being a fairly healthy person, to a person who is now on oxygen pretty much full time, cannot walk more than 30 feet without her fingers, feet, nose and face turning blue.  Her oxygen levels are continuously under 80%.  I have read articles that blood oxygen lower than 88% can be life threatening.  If she stops smoking, will that number increase, or has the damage been done, and is now irreversable?

[memory65]

i am sure someone has told you that oxygen levels that low can cause heart and brain damage. You should talk to a pulmonologist about this, maybe he can give you better answers. make sure someone goes in with her because we tend to forget things the dr says, 4 ears are better than 2. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS

[David S. Wilson, MD, FCCP]

Stopping smoking always helps and is one of only a few things that can add years to her life.  It is never too late to quit.  Quitting generally does not improve lung function but decline in function reverts to a more normal age related process and years of life can be gained