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Sleep News Blog

Prescription Sleep Medicine

Measuring Pulse Rate Using a Portable Finger Pulse Oximeter

Posted by sleepyguy in Prescription Sleep Medicine on September 05th, 2010

A pulse rate is commonly known as the arterial palpation of a heartbeat. Typically, a pulse can be felt in any place that allows for an artery to be compressed against a bone. In addition to the heart rate as measured by beats per minute (BPM), the rhythm and strength of the heartbeat is an important indicator of heart and overall health. Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, a weak pulse, or a hard blood vessel may be caused by heart disease or another problem.

Although many factors play into determining a normal heart rate, for an adult a heart beat in the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute (BPM) is considered healthy. However, there are athletes who have a healthy pulse rate below 60 BPM. Measuring the pulse is a key factor in maintaining a healthy body and conveys important information regarding the body’s state of health.

A useful tool to measure pulse rate is a portable pulse oximeter. A Pulse Ox is a small, hand-held medical device that measures the oxygen saturation of a patient’s blood as well a patient’s heart rate. As opposed to measuring oxygen saturation through an invasive procedure such as a blood sample, a pulse oximeter is used as a painless and non-invasive medical instrument. Because of their ease of use, speed, and cost effectiveness, oximeters are the preferred medical device in all healthcare settings as well as for home diagnostics for accurately measuring pulse rate. Individuals can carry their oximeter where ever they go and accurately measure their pulse rate. If pulse rate is abnormal the pulse ox will signal and alarm.

More advanced pulse ox machines also have perfusion index and plethysmograph capabilities which give an indication of pulse strength. The medical uses for pulse ox’s are quite diverse and varied; including but not limited to respiratory and cardiac problems. A patient’s need for oxygen is the most essential element to life; no human life thrives in the absence of cellular oxygen. A Pulse Ox provides the most accurate and cost-effective method of measuring blood oxygen saturation and heart rate, both of which are critical for monitoring many medical ailments.