I recently bought an oximeter and noticed something that puzzled me. When I checked my levels while resting, it showed 95 bpm, 99 SpO2, and 7 PI. But after a little exercise, it went up to 130 bpm, 99 SpO2, and the PI dropped to 2. Ive experienced palpitations and panic attacks before, so my heart rate sometimes spikes to 180 during exercise. I had medical tests done a few months ago, which were all normal. What I'm confused about is why my PI drops so low with higher bpm? Can you shed some light on this?

Dr Anshul Maheshwari

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 5+ Yrs

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The Perfusion Index (PI) is a measure of the strength of your pulse and the blood flow to your finger. A low PI% can indicate poor circulation or weak pulse strength. In your case, the decrease in PI% after exercising may be due to increased heart rate and blood flow redistribution to other parts of the body, leading to a weaker pulse signal at the oximeter sensor. This is common during physical activity when the body prioritizes blood flow to muscles and organs. To address this concern, you can try to ensure a good sensor placement on your finger, stay well-hydrated, and avoid excessive movement during oximetry readings. If you continue to have concerns about your PI% readings, it would be advisable to consult with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance

Answered 04/07/2025