The main novelty of the Apple Watch Series 6 is the incorporation of a system for measuring oxygen in the blood, similar to pulse oximeters.
A system that allows, from the conversion of the light that bounces off the blood vessels, to determine the oxygen saturation level of the user.
This technology has been used for years in clinical and medical settings to perform less invasive and faster readings than those that involve drawing blood from the patient and sending it to a laboratory. Interestingly, the results of both types of tests are relatively similar.
What Apple has done with the Apple Watch Series 6 is to incorporate the necessary lights and photodiodes to be able to carry out this measurement. It is a system similar to that implemented by other manufacturers of smartphones and smart bands that offer the same functionality but, like everything with Apple, what comes first is the security of the information and the privacy of the user.
Take a look at the back of the Apple Watch Series 6 and you will notice more lights and diodes than those found in previous models.
The principle of its operation is simple: blood that is loaded with oxygen is brighter than that without oxygen and therefore reflects red and infrared light differently.
This is how the Apple Watch Series 6 uses 4 clusters of red, green and infrared lights, plus 4 photodiodes to analyze the color of the blood and estimate, from this, the level of oxygen saturation of its users, wherever they want and whenever you want.
How to measure your oxygen saturation level with the Apple Watch?
Rest your arm on your lag or on a surface. Make sure your Apple Watch is snug, but comfortable, and is above the wrist.
Open the Blood Oxygen app and follow the instructions making sure to keep the Apple Watch screen facing up.
Reading takes 15 seconds.
It is important to note that Apple is not promoting this sensor as a medical one (as it did with the electrocardiogram app that is already available in Colombia) or for self-diagnosis or consultations with a doctor, but only to evaluate your physical or health condition general.
What is a normal level of Saturation?
For most patients a level between 95% and 100% is considered normal.
Between 91% and 94% a more detailed monitoring is recommended and below 90% it can represent health problems that require medical attention.
However, keep in mind that there are variables that can affect the level of oxygenation:
- the ambient temperature (if it is too low it can prevent the correct sampling of the sample),
- the presence of tattoos prevents the passage of light affecting the measurement capacity,
- arm movement or certain postures during measurement,
- the heart rate level (if it is too high it is not possible to take a measurement of the oxygen level.
- During sleeping hours it is possible that levels drop below 95%
- The height at which you measure the saturation level can affect the results (higher altitudes less oxygenation).