Shortness of breath and the pulse oximeter: what we're studying
The small clip on your finger that checks your oxygen can also sense your breathing. Here is what that means, and what PulSentry is researching, in plain words.
this page is about research. PulSentry is not a finished test, and it is not approved by the FDA to check breathing problems. If you cannot breathe well, do not wait, call your doctor or 911.
How the finger clip senses your breathing
A pulse oximeter is the little clip that goes on your fingertip to check your oxygen. It also senses each heartbeat. When you breathe in and out, the size of that heartbeat signal changes a little.
Pulse oximeter
The small clip on your fingertip that checks your oxygen and senses your pulse.
Why doctors care about that change
Doctors have known for a long time that when breathing is hard, like during a bad asthma attack, that change in the pulse can get bigger. So the change can be a clue about how hard someone is working to breathe.
It is only one clue, not the whole answer. Many things can affect it. That is why doctors look at the whole picture, not one number.
What PulSentry is studying
PulSentry is software that measures this breathing-related change in the pulse signal. We started with people who have fluid around the heart. Now we are doing research to learn whether the same measurement can help doctors keep track of people who feel short of breath for other reasons.
This is research. It is not a finished or approved test, and it is not FDA-cleared for any breathing problem. It is meant to support your care team one day, not to replace them.
When should I call my doctor or 911?
Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you have:
- Severe shortness of breath, or trouble breathing
- Fainting, or feeling like you might pass out
- Chest pressure or chest pain
- Lips or face turning blue or gray
Call your care team if you feel more short of breath than usual, very tired, or dizzy. When in doubt, reach out. It is always okay to ask.
Where this information comes from
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Pulse oximetry; shortness of breath.
- Research on pulse-oximeter measures of breathing difficulty in asthma (Arnold 2016; Steele 1995).
- For clinicians: the research-stage review of the respiratory signal in the PPG waveform.