Do Oxygen Levels Decrease When Lying Down?

Everyone’s blood oxygen levels are lower during sleep, due to a slightly reduced level of breathing. Also, some alveoli stop being used during sleep.

If your waking oxygen saturation is higher than 94 percent, it’s unlikely your sleep saturation will drop below 88 percent.

However, your doctor may order an overnight oximetry test if you have concerns about your oxygen saturation levels while you sleep.

Normal oxygen level while lying down

What is a normal oxygen level when lying down? Everyone’s blood oxygen levels are lower during sleep, a lying down and standing pulse oximetry test is designed to determine if there is any difference in your heart rate and blood oxygen level when lying down, or standing.

Pulse oximeter lying down

Before the test begins, a monitor is attached to your wrist with a probe at the tip of your finger. This monitor will record your heart rate and oxygen level during the tests.

For the first part of the test, you’ll be lying down for 10 minutes while your heart rate and oxygen level are recorded, for the second part of the test, you’ll be standing up for 10 minutes and the same is recorded.

During both tests you will be asked to relax and not be spoken to as this may affect the results.

Can I use pulse oximeter lying down?

Yes, in an evaluation of oxygen saturation values in different body positions in healthy individuals.

• sitting upright
• supine position
• prone position
• lying on the left side
• lying on the right side

Oxygen saturation and pulse rate were measured and recorded after the individuals held each position for ten minutes.

The mean oxygen saturation value, when measured while sitting in an upright position on a chair, was found to be significantly higher than that measured when the individual was lying on the right or left side of the body.

Oxygen saturation values measured in five different body positions were significantly higher in women, in people younger than 35 years, in those with body mass indexes below 25 kg/m2, and in non-smokers.

More on this story

Normal oxygen saturation by age

Human beings depend on oxygen for life. All organs require oxygen for metabolism but the brain and heart are particularly sensitive to a lack of oxygen.

Why does my oxygen level drop when I lay down?

The use of medical devices such as pulse oximeters has increased dramatically in recent years. Brands, questions, and more.

SpO2 normal range by age Chart

This reading chart provides guidance on what oxygen level means and when and how to seek medical help.

Why do Oxygen Levels decrease when lying down?

Everyone’s blood oxygen levels are lower during sleep, due to a slightly reduced level of breathing.