Angina pectoris is chest pain associated with impaired oxygen flow to the heart and may
occur at COHb levels between 2.5 and 4.9 percent in cardiac patients. In healthy individuals
decreased vigilance, confusion and disorientation, behavioral, and central nervous system
effects occur at COHb levels between 4 and 6 percent. Remember that as symptoms of CO
poisoning increase, you may become confused and less capable of making decisions that
could save your life.
Smoking
Tobacco smoke, including second hand smoke, is a large source of CO in homes with
smokers. Smokers have higher COHb values than nonsmokers and exposure to secondary
tobacco smoke results in an increase in COHb values. Smokers generally have COHb values
of five to six percent. Nonsmokers have COHb levels of 0.5 percent, whereas nonsmokers
exposed to secondary tobacco smoke have been shown to have COHb levels in the two to
three percent range.
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