Emergency Care Delayed by Artificial Nails Blocking Pulse Oximeter in China Heart Attack

A 28-year-old woman in Hunan province, China, suffered a heart attack where emergency doctors faced delays due to her long, thick press-on gel nails obstructing a fingertip pulse oximeter. Unable to remove the nails with medical tools, the hospital called a professional manicurist who quickly removed them, enabling accurate oxygen monitoring and timely treatment. The case highlights how artificial nails and dark nail polishes can interfere with critical medical devices during emergencies.