Hypoxia and Medicine

Oxygen Levels?

Is an oxygen saturation that reaches 80% in need of going to the hospital. My father has COPD and his O2 has been reading at 84 or lower. What does this mean?

Public Comments

1. I would be concerned. If you look at the first source I listed, any bloodO2 below 88 is dangerous. It can cause the heart to enlarge and that is not reversable if I read the second source correctly.. Good luck and god bless. I hope this helped.
2. I would say he needs to go see a doctor asap. My son had one at 85 and the nurses flipped out...
3. Some people with severe COPD live every day with sats in the 80's. It is dangerous to tissues as they need oxygen to function properly. He should be on oxygen if he not on it already. Too much oxygen given to a COPDer is dangerous as well. It can make their Carbon Dioxide in their blood rise. To answer your question, any time his sats are in the low 80's he should be in the hospital.
4. Yup he needs 02 My First Dr wouldn't let me out of the hospital till my 02 stats were over 90 means he is not getting enough oxygen at 88 Medicare pays for his 02
5. It means that he is hypoxic, his body doesn't have enough oxygen. Take him to the emergency room.