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Hypoxemia specifically refers to low levels of oxygen in the blood, which is critical for proper cellular functioning and overall physiological processes. When the oxygen concentration in arterial blood falls below normal levels, it can lead to a variety of health issues, including tissue hypoxia where there is insufficient oxygen for the tissues. This condition can arise from various causes such as respiratory diseases, altitude sickness, or issues with ventilation and perfusion.

In contrast, low oxygen saturation in tissues, while related, pertains more to the oxygen delivery and utilization at the cellular level rather than the measurement of oxygen in the blood itself. High carbon dioxide levels in the blood indicate a different respiratory issue, typically related to inadequate ventilation, which can occur alongside hypoxemia but is not synonymous with it. Low blood pressure relates to circulatory issues and does not directly address oxygen levels in the blood. Therefore, the precise definition of hypoxemia is accurately captured by the description of low oxygen levels in the blood.