A dangerously low oxygen level is anything below 90% oxygen saturation, and anything below 95% oxygen saturation (80 mm Hg) should be brought to the attention of a medical professional. A healthy level of oxygen in the arteries is about 75 to 100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and hypoxemia is any value under 60 mm Hg. Blood oxygen levels are usually described as either a percentage of oxygen saturation (where 100% is fully saturated) or as the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in the blood (given in mm Hg) .
Symptoms of low oxygen levels vary depending on the severity of the condition and from person to person, but they may include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, fast or pounding heartbeat, confusion, blue tint to lips or face, difficulty waking up, headaches, restlessness, dizziness, chest pain, high blood pressure, lack of coordination, visual disorders, and rapid heartbeat.
If blood oxygen saturation levels fall to 88% or lower, immediate medical attention is necessary. People with low blood oxygen levels can also make lifestyle changes, such as adjusting their dietary and exercise habits, in conjunction with oxygen therapy, to help raise their oxygen saturation levels.
