With the Apple Watch Series 6, a new sensor has been introduced, capable of measuring the blood oxygen levels. If you are the possessor of an Apple Watch compatible with this feature, you will see how you measure the level of oxygen in the blood with Apple Watch.
Before we see How can we properly measure oxygen saturation in blood (Blood Oxygen) with Apple Watch 7, we must know that this feature of Apple Watch 6 and Apple Watch 7, is not designed for medical purposes, but only for fitness and wellness. To find out the oxygen saturation in the blood during some physical exercises or While we relax.
I tested this feature in parallel with a medical approved pulse, and I noticed that most of the time, the Apple Watch Series 7 offers the same results. Both for BPM (pulse) and the level of oxygen in the blood.
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What is oxygen saturation and what is the normal level
The level of oxygen in the blood is given by the amount of oxygen transported by the red cells, from lungs throughout the body.
The optimal level of oxygen saturation in the blood is of 95% – 100%, but we must also consider the conditions in which the measurement is made. During sleep, in rooms close that are not properly ventilated, the level can be easily below 95%. This does not mean that you have a medical problem.
Another factor that can influence oxygen saturation The blood is altitude. If you normally have a saturation of 98% - 100%, it is very possible that in the mountains, at high heights, this percentage will be lower. We all know that in the mountains the air although it is cleaner, it is even rarefied, and the higher the altitude, the lower the oxygen concentration.
In fact, if we measure our oxygen saturation with Apple Watch when we are at high altitude, we are also informed that The measurement was done in high altitude conditions.
“Measurement taken in a high elevation environment.“
Apple Watch 6 (or newer models), besides the measurement sensor Blood Oxygen, also has sensors capable of massaging the altitude we are in. Elevation.
How do you measure the oxygen level in the blood with Apple Watch
In order to measure the level of oxygen in the blood with Apple Watch correctly, you have to be a little careful about the steps below.
1. First of all, make sure that both on the iPhone and Apple Watch you have the latest software versions. iOS and Watchos. Being an application developed by Apple and which is about a feature of the device, it comes with Watchos and is updated with it.
2. To make sure that this feature is available in your country. In some countries, due to the regulations in force, the application for measuring oxygen saturation is not available.
3. Apple Watch has to be in sight, the belt is not tight but not very wide, iat the wrist to be right. As shown in the image below.
4. The hand to be relaxed, do not keep the fist tight and do not move it during the measurement of oxygen saturation.
5. The best measurement is made holding the relaxed arm on a table, with the screen towards us. We press "Start"In the Blood Oxygen application and we are waiting for 15 seconds. It lasts for the measurement to be relevant.
Factors that may prevent the correct measurement of oxygen saturation in blood
1. The belt should be too tight or too light at the wrist.
2. Temporary or permanent skin changes, in the wrist area, where you hold Apple Watch. A tattoo, a scar or any other skin change in that area, may prevent the sensor light from making a careful scan of blood vessels, and the result could be wrong.
3. If you hold your arms down, near the body or fingers tightened, incorrect measurements will result.
4. A very high cardiac pulse will influence the results of oxygen saturation measurement. If you have the pulse 150 BPM in rest, the result of the measurement will not be relevant.
The measurement of oxygen saturation in the blood, with Apple Watch 6 and Apple Watch 7 is done with the same sensors that were initially designed to measure the frequency of cardiac. They were redesigned to have the ability to measure oxygen saturation.
During the measurement you will notice on the back of the clock LEDs bright in red and green colors. Besides these visible lights, the sensors sent and infrared to the skin, to make the measurements. The photodios measure the light beast reflected back by the skin, and thus is established by an alorithm, the level of saturation of oxygen in the blood.
