Hypoxemia is the state of low blood oxygen. The inability of the body to take in enough oxygen from the air leads to a lowering of the concentration of the oxygen in the blood. People who experience this decrease of oxygen often having trouble breathing and tire easily. Hypoxemia can become life threatening if the condition becomes severe.
Lung Disease
Lung disease is a main cause of hypoxemia. Many different lung conditions can affect the amount of oxygen in the blood, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary embolism.
Heart Disease
Heart disease can lead to a lowering of the blood oxygen levels, especially with a diagnosis of low cardiac output, according to the Mayo Clinic. When the heart cannot circulate the blood around the body as well as it should, hypoxemia can result.
Sleep Disorders
People who have sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, can experience hypoxemia. Repeated interruptions of breathing associated with apnea may affect oxygen levels.
Medication Use
Low blood oxygen levels can sometimes be the result of medication use. The use of controlled substances (narcotics) and anesthetizing drugs can cause hypoxemia.
Shock
Systemwide shock may cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop. Shock occurs in response to injury or illness and is a dangerously low blood pressure reading, according to "The Merck Manual." During a state of shock, blood vessels do not get enough oxygen to live.
High Altitudes
People who travel to or through high altitudes and are not used to the change of air quality may experience hypoxemia.
