Without getting too technical, 64% oxygen is definitely low and potentially doing you harm by causing your heart to work harder than it needs to be. Chronically low oxygen levels can cause heart enlargement which can lead to other worsening complications. My recommendation is this... have you tried other oxygen delivery devices (pendant cannula, high flow cannulas, or oxymask ) for use while exercising? Have you talked to your doctor about oxygen saturations in the 60's while exercising? Are you positive that the 64% is accurate? (lots of different things can effect the reading accuracy. (e.g., cold finger tips, movement) 95% is definitely a optimal level, but when I was working in pulmonary rehab....90% and greater was our guideline. Still, 64% causes me to worry that you could be doing your body harm. 

Without getting too technical, 64% oxygen is definitely low and potentially doing you harm by causing your heart to work harder than it needs to be. Chronically low oxygen levels can cause heart enlargement which can lead to other worsening complications. My recommendation is this... have you tried other oxygen delivery devices (pendant cannula, high flow cannulas, or oxymask ) for use while exercising? Have you talked to your doctor about oxygen saturations in the 60's while exercising? Are you positive that the 64% is accurate? (lots of different things can effect the reading accuracy. (e.g., cold finger tips, movement) 95% is definitely a optimal level, but when I was working in pulmonary rehab....90% and greater was our guideline. Still, 64% causes me to worry that you could be doing your body harm. 

I been trying to get back to my treadmill since the covid its very hard.  I can hardly get my stats in safe range even purse lip breathing on 6 lts.  Going to try 7 see if that works.  Did 20 min today but is so very hard.  I would love to get back to pulmonary rehab but doubt will be able to guess I am liking it at home not having to leave here less I have to.  Am now back on burts pred and doxycline not liking this at all. 

I been trying to get back to my treadmill since the covid its very hard.  I can hardly get my stats in safe range even purse lip breathing on 6 lts.  Going to try 7 see if that works.  Did 20 min today but is so very hard.  I would love to get back to pulmonary rehab but doubt will be able to guess I am liking it at home not having to leave here less I have to.  Am now back on burts pred and doxycline not liking this at all. 

Thank you for the information, I will explore the options, such as an oxymask. I do realise that cold fingers do give false saturation measures, but am fairly sure mine is very low while exercising.

Thank you for the information, I will explore the options, such as an oxymask. I do realise that cold fingers do give false saturation measures, but am fairly sure mine is very low while exercising.

Yes, hopefully, the reading is incorrect. Most people do not have the physical nor mental energy to function with very low oxygen levels

Also polish on nails can affect the pulse ox.  Yes my fingers are cold alot and when I was at pulmomary rehab had a time getting my o2 readings.  Other wise I am always warm. 

Also polish on nails can affect the pulse ox.  Yes my fingers are cold alot and when I was at pulmomary rehab had a time getting my o2 readings.  Other wise I am always warm. 

Hi Kandy, Thank you for the interest. I am a 69 year old mail so do not use nail polish.  My challenge is getting enough oxygen when doing any kind of exercise.  When exercising, even just walking fast, cannula don't work as I have to open my mouth to breath, so I am going to see if a full face mask type setup might work. Also, I currently don't have a portable concentrator. 

Hi Kandy, Thank you for the interest. I am a 69 year old mail so do not use nail polish.  My challenge is getting enough oxygen when doing any kind of exercise.  When exercising, even just walking fast, cannula don't work as I have to open my mouth to breath, so I am going to see if a full face mask type setup might work. Also, I currently don't have a portable concentrator. 

The nail polish was for a post for anyone.  When I exercise I have to turn up my oxygen.  Purse lip breathing can help also keep stats up.  You must be a mouth breather I have that problem too.  

The nail polish was for a post for anyone.  When I exercise I have to turn up my oxygen.  Purse lip breathing can help also keep stats up.  You must be a mouth breather I have that problem too.  

The nail polish was for a post for anyone.  When I exercise I have to turn up my oxygen.  Purse lip breathing can help also keep stats up.  You must be a mouth breather I have that problem too.  

The nail polish was for a post for anyone.  When I exercise I have to turn up my oxygen.  Purse lip breathing can help also keep stats up.  You must be a mouth breather I have that problem too.  

Hi Kandy, the interest and comment is appreciated.  Pursed lips I have found doesn't work for me or I don't know how to do it properly.
Yes, I have to open my mouth to get enough oxygen to be able to carry on walking. I am considering hiring a portable machine to see if that will help - Due to the mouth breathing I need to find out if you can use a mouth/nose mask with a portable machine - I have an idea it won't work with a mask.

Hi Kandy, the interest and comment is appreciated.  Pursed lips I have found doesn't work for me or I don't know how to do it properly.
Yes, I have to open my mouth to get enough oxygen to be able to carry on walking. I am considering hiring a portable machine to see if that will help - Due to the mouth breathing I need to find out if you can use a mouth/nose mask with a portable machine - I have an idea it won't work with a mask.

Edgar be sure to check out the POC very carefully.  They do not support enough o2 for a lot of us and they are heavy and bulky.  I can't find one to meet my high flow.  Look up Noah Greenspan blog on POC and oxygen very good information.  A POC I found that would be high flow be 6 demand and its 18 lbs.  There are not that I know of high continuous flow.   I always say they can put a man on the moon but can't figure out POC for us with higher flow. 

Edgar be sure to check out the POC very carefully.  They do not support enough o2 for a lot of us and they are heavy and bulky.  I can't find one to meet my high flow.  Look up Noah Greenspan blog on POC and oxygen very good information.  A POC I found that would be high flow be 6 demand and its 18 lbs.  There are not that I know of high continuous flow.   I always say they can put a man on the moon but can't figure out POC for us with higher flow. 

Hi Kandy,

Thanks again for the advise – I have joined the Noah Greenspan organisation but need to find the blog you are referring to.

Hi Kandy,

Thanks again for the advise – I have joined the Noah Greenspan organisation but need to find the blog you are referring to.

Hi Kandy,

Afraid I cannot find any blog on the Noah Greenspan site. Can you give more detail, or send me a link please.

Hi Kandy,

Afraid I cannot find any blog on the Noah Greenspan site. Can you give more detail, or send me a link please.

https://copdnewstoday.com/2019/06/19/oxygen-manifesto-part-2-devices-advice-respiratory-specialists/

https://copdnewstoday.com/2019/06/19/oxygen-manifesto-part-2-devices-advice-respiratory-specialists/

Hi Kandy, Thank you very much for this info. I have now realised that obtaining a Pulse Delivery Type POC would be a total waste of time and money for me. At rest, I need at least 3000 mL/m or 3L/m and the best pulse delivery machine can only provide 1L/m on average. 

Hi Kandy, Thank you very much for this info. I have now realised that obtaining a Pulse Delivery Type POC would be a total waste of time and money for me. At rest, I need at least 3000 mL/m or 3L/m and the best pulse delivery machine can only provide 1L/m on average. 

Good decision.  You know they can put a man on the moon and all this high tech stuff but for the life of me I can't understand why they cant come up with a POC for us that have high flow.  I am in same boat.  Wish you the best Edgar.  

Good decision.  You know they can put a man on the moon and all this high tech stuff but for the life of me I can't understand why they cant come up with a POC for us that have high flow.  I am in same boat.  Wish you the best Edgar.