Hypoxemia is a medical condition characterized by low levels of oxygen in the blood. It is not an illness or a condition itself, but rather a sign of a problem related to breathing or blood flow. Hypoxemia can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid breathing, fast or pounding heartbeat, and confusion. A healthy level of oxygen in the arteries is about 75 to 100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and hypoxemia is any value under 60 mm Hg. Levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide are measured with a blood sample taken from an artery, which is called an arterial blood gas test.

Hypoxemia can be caused by various factors, including:

• Less oxygen in the air you breathe, such as at high altitudes.
• Breathing thats too slow or shallow to meet the lungs need for oxygen.
• Either not enough blood flow to the lungs or not enough oxygen to the lungs.
• Trouble with oxygen getting into the bloodstream and the waste gas carbon dioxide getting out.
• Anemia, which is a condition in which the body doesnt get enough oxygen due to a lack of healthy red blood cells.
• Congenital heart defects in children, which are heart conditions that children were born with.
• Lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia.
• Trauma to the lungs.

Hypoxemia can be life-threatening, and if someone is experiencing symptoms of hypoxemia, they should call 911 or go to the emergency room. Treatment for hypoxemia involves getting more oxygen into the body, which can be done through a small plug in the nose or a mask that covers the nose and mouth. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and quitting smoking, can help prevent hypoxemia.