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Why does the pulse oximeter not read my dad's recording properly?

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Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Recently, we bought an oximeter. It shows readings well for four peoples in our house. But it struggles to show reading for my father. He has fluctuation in his heart rate varying from normal to low. His blood pressure reading is fine. Why?

Answered by Dr. Lalit Kumar Bansal

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Lalit Kumar Bansal is a General Surgeon who completed his MBBS at MGMMC, Indore, and MS in General Surgery at RNTMC, Udaipur. He specializes in Laparoscopic Surgery, Urology surgery, Gastrointestinal surgery, and cancer surgery and has 14 years of clinical experience. Currently, he is practicing at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, in New Delhi, India.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The oximeter works well when the flow rate in the periphery is good. In normal people, it records the pulse and their oxygen saturation will be good. But in some people, when the flow to the fingers and toes is not good, it will not work well. It is common in chronic smokers and old patients where their vessels seem to be contracted. In these people, the pulse rate seems to be low and high and it will show a false reading. This is the reason for their hands and feet to be cold. I suggest you apply an oximeter to the loose skin of the ear lobule which means the hanging skin of the ear. Probably, the oximeter will show a good reading.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At May 15, 2020
Reviewed At April 29, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Lalit Kumar Bansal is a General Surgeon who completed his MBBS at MGMMC, Indore, and MS in General Surgery at RNTMC, Udaipur. He specializes in Laparoscopic Surgery, Urology surgery, Gastrointestinal surgery, and cancer surgery and has 14 years of clinical experience. Currently, he is practicing at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, in New Delhi, India.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Lalit Kumar Bansal is a General Surgeon who completed his MBBS at MGMMC, Indore, and MS in General Surgery at RNTMC, Udaipur. He specializes in Laparoscopic Surgery, Urology surgery, Gastrointestinal surgery, and cancer surgery and has 14 years of clinical experience. Currently, he is practicing at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, in New Delhi, India.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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