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What Does Weak Heart With Normal O2 Saturation Levels Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Question: I am an 86 year old male. I have a heart profusion factor of approximately 27%. When I go to my cardiologist they put the little gadget on the end of my finger it reads 97%. The last time I as at the cardiologists he had me exercise and it went up to 99% How Can I have a weak heart and have that o2 saturation? Seventeen years ago I had 4 way bypass surgery I presently am extremely short of breath and very tired almost to the oint of disability. I am not getting any help nor good answers.
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Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The O2 saturation looks at gas exchange at the level of the lungs!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about these symptoms that you hare reported. II have reviewed your information and this is suggestive of heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood t satisfy the needs of the shoe body. This leads to a stage of tissue starvation and lack of energy which leads to fatigue. This is what you are going through. Medications do help but at a point, they would no longer. The best longterm solution would be a heart transplant. However, a heart transplant at your age might not be easy to accomplish.

Oxygen saturation looks at the oxygen content. It is a reflection of what goes on in the lungs and not the heart. This is why a weak heart would not affect this. If you had a poor lung gas exchange, only at this time would you see a low number for this testing.

I hope this addresses your query fully. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6321 Questions

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What Does Weak Heart With Normal O2 Saturation Levels Indicate?

Brief Answer: The O2 saturation looks at gas exchange at the level of the lungs! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about these symptoms that you hare reported. II have reviewed your information and this is suggestive of heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood t satisfy the needs of the shoe body. This leads to a stage of tissue starvation and lack of energy which leads to fatigue. This is what you are going through. Medications do help but at a point, they would no longer. The best longterm solution would be a heart transplant. However, a heart transplant at your age might not be easy to accomplish. Oxygen saturation looks at the oxygen content. It is a reflection of what goes on in the lungs and not the heart. This is why a weak heart would not affect this. If you had a poor lung gas exchange, only at this time would you see a low number for this testing. I hope this addresses your query fully. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.