Hypoxemia is a below-normal level of oxygen in your blood, specifically in the arteries. Hypoxemia is a sign of a problem related to breathing or circulation, and may result in various symptoms, such as shortness of breath.
Hypoxemia is determined by measuring the oxygen level in a blood sample taken from an artery (arterial blood gas). It can also be estimated by measuring the oxygen saturation of your blood using a pulse oximeter — a small device that clips to your finger.
Normal arterial oxygen is approximately 75 to 100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Values under 60 mm Hg usually indicate the need for supplemental oxygen. Normal pulse oximeter readings usually range from 95 to 100 percent. Values under 90 percent are considered low.
Dec. 25, 2015
- Theodore AC. Oxygenation and mechanisms of hypoxemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Nov. 18, 2015.
- Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 28, 2015.
- AskMayoExpert. Hypoxemia. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2014.
- Broaddus VC, et al., eds. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and ARDS. In: Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2016. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 18, 2015.
- Vincent JL, et al., eds. Arterial hypoxemia. In: Textbook of Critical Care. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 18, 2015.
- Strohl KP. Overview of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Nov. 18, 2015.
- Wilkins MR, et al. Pathophysiology and treatment of high-altitude pulmonary vascular disease. Circulation. 2015;131:582.
- Living with COPD. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd/livingwith. Accessed Nov. 18, 2015.
.