Symptom 10: Rapid Breathing or Hyperventilation: Your Body’s Response to Low Oxygen Levels
Rapid breathing, or hyperventilation, is another symptom that can be associated with CHF. This occurs when the body tries to compensate for low oxygen levels in the blood due to the heart’s impaired pumping ability.
An individual with CHF may find themselves breathing faster than usual, even at rest. This can be particularly noticeable during physical activity, when the body’s oxygen demands increase. Rapid breathing can be accompanied by a feeling of being unable to get enough air, which can be distressing.
Hyperventilation can also lead to other symptoms, such as dizziness, light-headedness, and a tingling sensation in the hands or feet. These symptoms occur due to changes in the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can affect the function of the nervous system. (10)
