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Uses of Pulse Oximeter in Rhythm Monitoring
Most (all?) of you have seen the small clip-on-the-finger over a finger nail used in doctor offices to measure the Oxygen Saturation level in your blood (target 95% or better I believe). These doctors don't have a pulse display on their units or simply prefer the manual method to measure pulse rate, which both the nurse and doctor do, the doctor of course also listens to my heart with a stethoscope.
It is difficult for me to feel my pulse (a blessing in many respects) and I have for years used a stethoscope to count my pulses, heart rate. The only indication I have of the blood oxygen saturation is if I am dizzy or breathless more than what I recall as normal. I have thought that it would be helpful to be able to measure the O2 level at those times and even to run a DIY sleep test (this in general would require a recording meter).
When I saw this type instrument with a combined HR and O2 plus a pulse intensity readout for under $25 delivered I ordered one.
Here's what I learned for my profile and what I have concluded about a number of aspects of my AFib condition on my physical being. I compared/checked the device HR by counting my HR while using the clip on, good agreement. I checked my wife who does not have any diagnosed heart conditions and found reaso6 nable readings and a smoother more uniform heart intensity readout than I got for myself with AFib.. as expected. I take the intensity differences between her and me indicative, not quantitative even though it is provided via a 6 bar readout scale.
I found my O2 consistently obove 95% even when I was feeling O2 starved, like when standing up quickly. I also found my HR reasonable and in the 70s when resting and typically around 100 when in light physical activity.
Now for sleeping, or really maximum rested times.
I did not get a recording meter for $25, but as I wake up often during the night it is easy for me to clip the device on with minimum physical effort when I wake up. Some interesting findings (to me) - I am on a normal release Metoprolol (BB) and Calcium CB which is taken at about 10:30 PM, so by 1:30 AM I am still in the fully medicated area of the BB concentration (half life of 4 hours assumed).
Early in the morning (around 2 AM) I found my fully relaxed in bed HR as low as upper 50s and O2 levels as low as 90%. Later in the morning (around 5 or 6 AM) I found my HR around 70, suggesting the BB had lost a considerable % of its strength (now in its 2nd half live, about 75% metabolized) and the O2 levels over 95%. This seems reasonable and in fact during the day my seated and fully resting HR runs in the 70s to 80s. The lower O2 level of 90%, which is the threshold of trouble as I understand, at 2 AM is a minor concern to me. This many not be a trouble indicator under the condition of being under BB and CCB near full strength and just in/out of sleep resting state. I continue to check and see if my results are consistent/repeated.
In any case I find having this testing device affordable and quick way to check my HR, and also get the O2 saturation - the value of the heart intensity readout is not clear, but does give me some concern... guess it is the variations I hear with the stethoscope.
It is difficult for me to feel my pulse (a blessing in many respects) and I have for years used a stethoscope to count my pulses, heart rate. The only indication I have of the blood oxygen saturation is if I am dizzy or breathless more than what I recall as normal. I have thought that it would be helpful to be able to measure the O2 level at those times and even to run a DIY sleep test (this in general would require a recording meter).
When I saw this type instrument with a combined HR and O2 plus a pulse intensity readout for under $25 delivered I ordered one.
Here's what I learned for my profile and what I have concluded about a number of aspects of my AFib condition on my physical being. I compared/checked the device HR by counting my HR while using the clip on, good agreement. I checked my wife who does not have any diagnosed heart conditions and found reaso6 nable readings and a smoother more uniform heart intensity readout than I got for myself with AFib.. as expected. I take the intensity differences between her and me indicative, not quantitative even though it is provided via a 6 bar readout scale.
I found my O2 consistently obove 95% even when I was feeling O2 starved, like when standing up quickly. I also found my HR reasonable and in the 70s when resting and typically around 100 when in light physical activity.
Now for sleeping, or really maximum rested times.
I did not get a recording meter for $25, but as I wake up often during the night it is easy for me to clip the device on with minimum physical effort when I wake up. Some interesting findings (to me) - I am on a normal release Metoprolol (BB) and Calcium CB which is taken at about 10:30 PM, so by 1:30 AM I am still in the fully medicated area of the BB concentration (half life of 4 hours assumed).
Early in the morning (around 2 AM) I found my fully relaxed in bed HR as low as upper 50s and O2 levels as low as 90%. Later in the morning (around 5 or 6 AM) I found my HR around 70, suggesting the BB had lost a considerable % of its strength (now in its 2nd half live, about 75% metabolized) and the O2 levels over 95%. This seems reasonable and in fact during the day my seated and fully resting HR runs in the 70s to 80s. The lower O2 level of 90%, which is the threshold of trouble as I understand, at 2 AM is a minor concern to me. This many not be a trouble indicator under the condition of being under BB and CCB near full strength and just in/out of sleep resting state. I continue to check and see if my results are consistent/repeated.
In any case I find having this testing device affordable and quick way to check my HR, and also get the O2 saturation - the value of the heart intensity readout is not clear, but does give me some concern... guess it is the variations I hear with the stethoscope.
Now I have new ins and new dr's I'm going to talk to them about the OSA and last dr because my ICD shows so much activity at night and I'm wondering if part of the problem isn't the sleep problem. I wanted the Oximeter to print out or take to them to say see? I have a problem.
My sleep study was a few years ago so I may mention another one but I'm not sure what to do since I can't use a CPAP. It may be due to a broken nose as a teen I've had breathing problems since then or may be due to my heart - when they put the masks on and the air goes through I fainted and went into VT and they were going to put me in the hospital it was so severe. I went back and tried 4 or 5 others but same thing; so they recommened another sleep study which I didn't see the point and my ins said no you just had one.
thanks for the info will talk to the EP when I go next week and get a referral to a new dr
My sleep study was a few years ago so I may mention another one but I'm not sure what to do since I can't use a CPAP. It may be due to a broken nose as a teen I've had breathing problems since then or may be due to my heart - when they put the masks on and the air goes through I fainted and went into VT and they were going to put me in the hospital it was so severe. I went back and tried 4 or 5 others but same thing; so they recommened another sleep study which I didn't see the point and my ins said no you just had one.
thanks for the info will talk to the EP when I go next week and get a referral to a new dr
COMMUNITY LEADER
Weight is just one contributor, not The cause, of OSA. In my case, a mild one in which my O2 never got as low as 72%, in my view a drastic low level. I the reading was part of a sleep study there is other data/measures on the time-line. I do not understand the statement "weren't overly concerned." My Pulmonary doctor says if my "mild" case of OSA isn't improved by losing weight he will recommend a CPAP. I can check but I think my low was closer to 85%, and the aggregate time was a few minutes over many short run occurrences.
I have lost about 6 pounds so far and think I can already detect some improvement in my sleep, I don't wake up gasping for air (or not as much). My target is to lose another 10 pounds at least and then discuss with the doctor another round of a "recording oximeter" run overnight in my own home. This was very inexpensive if I understand the billing associated with my first run. It was under $100, and I still doubt that is correct, I do have Medicare and Private insurance, but I saw what I understood to be the full bill, and it was very low. For that fee I was provided delivered to my home the equipment with instructions, a pick up of the equipment the next day and a written report sent to my doctor, who prescribed the test. I'd bet one can order the test, no doctor needed. But, if one wants to record on their own a recording oximeter can be purchased, and I believe that can be done for about $100. The oximeter I have can not record, just a real-time readout and cost about $25. This was the tool that put me on to the need for a OSA test. I put the meter on my bed table and when I awoke during the sleep period, especially if I felt shortness of breath, I clipped the meter on. This gave me readings as low as 85%..which was confirmed by the recording run and by my sleep study done in the hospital.
I understand the oximeter which just records pulse and O2 saturation is not a "sleep study", but I think it is a major component of that and if one "passes" the oximeter test they most likely do not have OSA.
My sleep study shows I slept most of the time on one side or the other, no tennis balls needed. I could have forecaster that result, I don't like to sleep on my back. But, I still had periods of low oxygen, again low is less than 95%.
I have lost about 6 pounds so far and think I can already detect some improvement in my sleep, I don't wake up gasping for air (or not as much). My target is to lose another 10 pounds at least and then discuss with the doctor another round of a "recording oximeter" run overnight in my own home. This was very inexpensive if I understand the billing associated with my first run. It was under $100, and I still doubt that is correct, I do have Medicare and Private insurance, but I saw what I understood to be the full bill, and it was very low. For that fee I was provided delivered to my home the equipment with instructions, a pick up of the equipment the next day and a written report sent to my doctor, who prescribed the test. I'd bet one can order the test, no doctor needed. But, if one wants to record on their own a recording oximeter can be purchased, and I believe that can be done for about $100. The oximeter I have can not record, just a real-time readout and cost about $25. This was the tool that put me on to the need for a OSA test. I put the meter on my bed table and when I awoke during the sleep period, especially if I felt shortness of breath, I clipped the meter on. This gave me readings as low as 85%..which was confirmed by the recording run and by my sleep study done in the hospital.
I understand the oximeter which just records pulse and O2 saturation is not a "sleep study", but I think it is a major component of that and if one "passes" the oximeter test they most likely do not have OSA.
My sleep study shows I slept most of the time on one side or the other, no tennis balls needed. I could have forecaster that result, I don't like to sleep on my back. But, I still had periods of low oxygen, again low is less than 95%.
Could this be used for Sleep Apnea to check the 02 levels at night? I would be interested in getting one since nothing they've tried worked for my OSA yet.
I keep telling them part of my problem is sleep apnea - they tell me to lose 30 lbs and I'll be fine - which I think is hogwash; I had OSA even before they stopped me exercising and I gained weight. I did find that putting a tennis ball in a pillowcase under my side when I fall asleep does seem to help where I won't roll on my back.
I've had more health problems in the past 5-6 months and they think I had a heart attack and I'm going through tons of testing the next few weeks and I question if the lack of oxygen at night isn't a culprit - my sleep study showed my o2 @ 72% yet they weren't overly concerned.
Does this meter or any that anyone has tried keep a log or print outs? that way I can take it and show them.
I keep telling them part of my problem is sleep apnea - they tell me to lose 30 lbs and I'll be fine - which I think is hogwash; I had OSA even before they stopped me exercising and I gained weight. I did find that putting a tennis ball in a pillowcase under my side when I fall asleep does seem to help where I won't roll on my back.
I've had more health problems in the past 5-6 months and they think I had a heart attack and I'm going through tons of testing the next few weeks and I question if the lack of oxygen at night isn't a culprit - my sleep study showed my o2 @ 72% yet they weren't overly concerned.
Does this meter or any that anyone has tried keep a log or print outs? that way I can take it and show them.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Quick update, hope I am not repeating myself as I recall posting this information somewhere, else?
I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea and have agreement from my doctor to try losing weight first. My target was to lose 20 pounds in four weeks, well it is now three weeks and I've lost only 5 pounds. But I think the "ball is in my court" and the doctor will not call to follow up. I think I see a small improvement with just a 5 pound loss. The test will be another over night Oximeter test and if it looks good (no below 95% readings) I am "cured", for now just don't put the pounds back on.
I was surprised about the weight issue as I weighted about 245 and am almost 6' 6" (was once, now shrinking with age), yet that puts me about on the line for obese - wow, what a "twiggy" world we now live in. But, if getting down to even 230 stops the sleep apnea I will be convinced I was over weight, at least for my age. Yep, I backed of to losing only 15 pounds and I think that may do it from where I now stand with 5 pounds off.
I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea and have agreement from my doctor to try losing weight first. My target was to lose 20 pounds in four weeks, well it is now three weeks and I've lost only 5 pounds. But I think the "ball is in my court" and the doctor will not call to follow up. I think I see a small improvement with just a 5 pound loss. The test will be another over night Oximeter test and if it looks good (no below 95% readings) I am "cured", for now just don't put the pounds back on.
I was surprised about the weight issue as I weighted about 245 and am almost 6' 6" (was once, now shrinking with age), yet that puts me about on the line for obese - wow, what a "twiggy" world we now live in. But, if getting down to even 230 stops the sleep apnea I will be convinced I was over weight, at least for my age. Yep, I backed of to losing only 15 pounds and I think that may do it from where I now stand with 5 pounds off.
I'll be interested to hear what you learn when you see the doctor for your report. I did not dream for several years when I had sleep apnea, altho I always dreamed in technicolor and very vivid, intricate dreams previously. After I started using the cpap, I am back to dreaming again. Not sure if that is helpful for your situation, but I think you are right, there may be a connection. Good luck and let us know what you learn.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hope the Rythmol works... as I think I have already told you I didn't have any side effects from Rythmol, but I didn't get any benefits either, it couldn't even hold me in NSR following an electrocardioversion.
On the sleep study: I got home bright and early this morning from the hospital, my sleep study was done overnight. I had some trouble sleeping, felt like I was wired for a trip to Mars if not further into space. I think I did enough sleeping for the test to record critical data... bet I have a confirmed mild (hope mild) obstructive sleep apnea problem. I don't know it that is related to my night time nasal congestion, but it seems possible, and for some reason I had far less over night congestion - maybe I have something in my bedroom to which I am allergic. I don't think so, as I have had congestion when traveling and staying in hotels. I had a breathing monitor attached to my face, looks like the supplementary oxygen feed devices, but it was to measure breathing, not provide oxygen. I though maybe that helped keep my sinus open, the technician didn't think so, but that's a question for the doctor, not the tech.
I sent an email to a fishing buddy, who no longer lives near me, about my upcoming sleep study. He is about 10 years younger than me and I figured I'd get some sympathy.. not so, better, he said he's been using a CPAP for about 4 years and "loves it".. said he immediately felt better due to much better sleeping and doesn't find wearing it a problem. The above note on the sleep study also appears in a post by me on the ENT Community. I see a possible connection between AFig, Dreaming problems, and my yet to be diagnosed apnea.
On the sleep study: I got home bright and early this morning from the hospital, my sleep study was done overnight. I had some trouble sleeping, felt like I was wired for a trip to Mars if not further into space. I think I did enough sleeping for the test to record critical data... bet I have a confirmed mild (hope mild) obstructive sleep apnea problem. I don't know it that is related to my night time nasal congestion, but it seems possible, and for some reason I had far less over night congestion - maybe I have something in my bedroom to which I am allergic. I don't think so, as I have had congestion when traveling and staying in hotels. I had a breathing monitor attached to my face, looks like the supplementary oxygen feed devices, but it was to measure breathing, not provide oxygen. I though maybe that helped keep my sinus open, the technician didn't think so, but that's a question for the doctor, not the tech.
I sent an email to a fishing buddy, who no longer lives near me, about my upcoming sleep study. He is about 10 years younger than me and I figured I'd get some sympathy.. not so, better, he said he's been using a CPAP for about 4 years and "loves it".. said he immediately felt better due to much better sleeping and doesn't find wearing it a problem. The above note on the sleep study also appears in a post by me on the ENT Community. I see a possible connection between AFig, Dreaming problems, and my yet to be diagnosed apnea.
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