Blood pressure can be assessed using pulse oximetry, study finds
Given the current situation around the world, with new cases of coronavirus emerging every second, and the need for people to maintain social distancing to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), it is especially important to understand the health of yourself and those in lockdown. Despite measures like "wearing masks in public" and "washing your hands frequently" for most of us, the ever-increasing number of cases is still ringing alarm bells every time we step out of the house.
New research shows that fingertip pulse oximeters can not only measure blood oxygen saturation, but also assess blood pressure.
For the coronavirus (COVID-19), one of the symptoms happens to be pneumonia — a disease that causes the lungs to fill with fluid. As a result, it is difficult for the heart to maintain adequate oxygen levels, which can lead to excessive levels of carbon dioxide in the body, leading to serious complications. To avoid this, some doctors recommend using a pulse oximeter, which can help you determine your oxygen saturation right away as well as your pulse. Especially if you happen to have an underlying medical condition, the device can come in handy at any time, taking measurements of blood oxygen saturation and pulse, and finding abnormal information.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada have shown that blood pressure monitoring can be performed quickly and easily using a pulse oximeter, meaning that rapid blood pressure measurement can now play a vital role in providing medical assistance.
How much do you know about pulse oximeters?
Dr Mohamed Elgendi, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Principal Investigator at UBC, explained: "We found that an oximeter, which measures heart rate and blood oxygen level clipped on a finger or toe, not only detects blood oxygen levels, but also monitors blood pressure to indicate high blood pressure. , it’s 95 percent accurate.” A nurse might attach an oximeter to your finger, which takes readings by measuring light from your fingertip. When there is a lack of oxygen, the cells darken in color, and by measuring the color of the blood cells, the blood oxygen sensor can give a certain percentage of oxygen saturation. "This suggests that, with some tweaking, it can serve as a BP monitor and do double duty in the future."
In the U.S. alone, 1,100 people die every day from high blood pressure, so regular monitoring of those at risk is critical. High blood pressure can lead to poor blood flow, heart attack and even stroke. However, current methods for assessing blood pressure have limitations.
Elgendi added: “While the inflatable cuff is easy to use, its accuracy depends on where it is placed on the arm and how it is used by the observer. Another technique, intra-arterial blood pressure measurement, is highly accurate, but requires The doctor inserts the needle into the artery, which is an invasive measurement."
According to Elgendi, the use of pulse oximetry to assess blood pressure has been tried in past studies, but the UBC study is the first to provide supporting evidence based on actual patient records, and the first in both China and the U.S. A large number of studies were obtained in each country.
A study of data collected in two different countries demonstrated that pulse oximetry is a reliable tool for measuring high blood pressure. When we import ECG data into oximeter data, we are able to improve detection of prehypertension.
Elgendi and his team are working together to find a way to test their research on more patients, refining their algorithm so oximeter manufacturers can use it on a larger scale.