I'm a 28-year-old female who exercises regularly, and recently I decided to check my blood oxygen level using my mom's pulse oximeter just out of curiosity. At rest, my oxygen saturation was 99%, but when I ran on the treadmill for a couple of minutes, it dropped to 86%. My heart rate was only around 130. I usually exercise at a much higher intensity than during this test, and I'm worried that I could be causing harm to my organs without realizing it. Should I see a doctor about this? If so, what kind of specialist would be best to check this out?
It's understandable to be concerned, but a drop in oxygen saturation during exercise, especially at high intensity, can happen, particularly if you're pushing your limits. I recommend seeing a pulmonologist or a cardiologist to evaluate your lung and heart function. They can conduct tests like a stress test or pulmonary function test to assess your oxygen levels and overall health during exertion.