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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffOxygen you inhale passes from the air sacs in your lungs into tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the air sac walls. From there it enters your bloodstream and is distributed throughout your body. Anything that interferes with this process can cause low blood oxygen. Often, the problem is heart or lung disease. But other factors, including strenuous exercise and carbon monoxide poisoning, also can lead to hypoxemia.
Common causes of hypoxemia include:
- Airway obstruction
- Anemia
- ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)
- Congenital heart disease — heart defects that are present at birth
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Emphysema
- High altitudes
- Interstitial lung disease
- Low cardiac output — your heart doesn't pump as much blood as it should
- Narcotics and anesthetics, which depress breathing
- Pneumonia
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Shock
- Sleep apnea
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
