Fitbit has me worried about sleep spo2

[Heather1234]

I've done well & no I'm right back in it. I got a fitbit and it tracks spo2 while you sleep. Kinda worried about 95/96% sleep spo2 & Breathing rate of 17/18 bpm. If I google, these are not optimal numbers. Now I'm thinking I should get a pulse oximeter to measure it that way. (And obssess over those numbers) 🤦🏼*♀️ My husband is telling me to let it go. I do have a smoking history but I run everyday & 6 miles straight once a week. Ugh. Ive read too many Google articles. I knew the fitbit may cause me panic. I was right. Should I get a oximeter? Should I start monitoring my spo2 after runs? I don't have any symptoms when running other than the normal breathing hard & sweating. 🥴

[Punky789]

I got a Fitbit for Christmas and it is very neat but has caused a fair amount of stress, too.

From what I have read, it is just going to give you a close approximation of your SP02 and breathing rate. It can be impacted by lots of things, such are wearing the watch too loose or too tight.

I really wouldn't worry. That is a normal oxygen level, or at least that is what they told me at the hospital when I was there for pneumonia.

[Heather1234]

@punky789 thank you I think I may have to put the fitbit up. 🤦🏼*♀️

[alpacagirl]

I can only wear mine intermittently because it causes me anxiety too. I worry because my resting heart rate is always around low 50s and I'm not an athlete LOL. Mind you my blood pressure runs low too. Most of the time I just wear my very basic watch to avoid triggering myself with numbers. Tell myself if I start passing out I'll go see someone

[Anglo]

I've had my heartrate, blood pressure and oxygen measured at regular intervals recently and the medical professionals have never noted anything out of order, despite my watch often giving me around 95% (or less) oxygen levels overnight. I also have a lower than average heartrate. It starts to trigger my health anxiety a little bit sometimes, but then I remind myself that no doctor has ever seen an issue (therefore multiple opinions), so I needn't worry either.

[Heather1234]

Thank you. I need to stop worrying.

[ErinKC]

I had a smart watch for a while and I didn’t replaced it with a good old dumb one. My anxiety has been completely in check for a long time now and the only time I ever started to slip was if I stared checking health stats in my watch. Not worth it! We’re not meant to be monitored all day.

[Fishmanpa]

Technology and the internet have given us access to mind boggling and more often, inaccurate information. The dragon isn't picky. He'll pick up on whatever feeds his hunger. Anxiety can and does influence things like heart rate, sleep and many other physical symptoms, it is the root of anxiety. There are pages of threads like this on the site and nearly none of them have been anything serious. In the decade plus I've been on this site, I can count on less than two hands how many fears turned into reality. And with no exceptions, all survived and have managed to put the dragon in the background and moved on with their lives. I keep in touch on FB and all those I mention are doing well.

Treat the root of the issue and you treat the symptoms associated with it.

FMP