A 39-year-old member asked:
What changes can you expect in the levels of blood oxygen and carbon dioxide in a patient who breathes rapidly and deeply for a prolonged time?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. William Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 35 years experience
Hyperventilation: Many athletes may "oxygen-load" their blood just prior to a race by doing this. Breathing rapidly will draw in more oxygen and "load up" the red blood cells' hemoglobin, and at the same time empty out more carbon dioxide than usually would be. You have to be careful doing this, because it will throw off your body's acid/base balance and make you dizzy or pass out!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated May 12, 2013
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