Yes — and this is one of the most dangerous misperceptions I encounter at Pulmovista Clinics. ‘Feeling fine’ in COPD patients during pollution events often reflects the fact that COPD patients have learned to reduce their activity to match their respiratory capacity. They feel fine because they are doing less. But their lung function, airway inflammation, and SpO₂ may be deteriorating significantly despite the absence of obvious symptoms. I strongly recommend that all COPD patients — regardless of how they feel — monitor their SpO₂ with a pulse oximeter on AQI 300+ days, follow their written action plan proactively, and contact Pulmovista Clinics at the first sign of any change from their baseline.
