Fitbit Just Did An Update With A Graph Showing How

Posted on Wed, 17 Jun 2020

Question: Fitbit just did an update with a graph showing how much your O2 varies during sleep. Mine usually shows one or two spikes meaning higher that normal variation but I don't know from what level it's varying or by how much. My readings with oxymeter are always around 98-100 including in the morning and exercise.... With an occasional reading of 95. If there was a problem would I have constant spikes? Are a few O2 variations okay... Have no idea what to make of this graph.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
These are normal variations of O2 saturation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that these O2 saturation variations are quite normal during the different stages of sleep.

You should know that we go through different cycles of sleep, which are characterized by different degrees of breathing and body metabolism.

During REM sleep, we breathe more frequently by increasing our O2 saturation levels.

I think these spikes may be related to the REM sleep cycles (we may have many of them during one night).

To conclude, there is nothing to worry!

Hope you will find this information helpful!

Wishing all the best,

Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar