What is a primary consequence of hyperventilation in individuals?

Hyperventilation leads to rapid breathing, which causes an increased exhalation of carbon dioxide. As a result, there is a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood, leading to respiratory alkalosis, which can induce a variety of symptoms, including tingling sensations and feelings of anxiety. This phenomenon occurs because the body is experiencing a state of decreased carbon dioxide pressure (hypocapnia), which can affect nerve function and lead to hyperactivity in the nervous system. The sensation of tingling may often be felt in the extremities and around the mouth. Additionally, anxiety can be exacerbated in a state of hyperventilation due to the body’s physiological response to rapid breathing, which can trigger a fight-or-flight response, leading to feelings of panic.

In contrast, increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood is not a consequence of hyperventilation; instead, it is the opposite condition. A normal heart rate typically may increase due to stress or panic rather than decreasing. Loss of consciousness can occur in severe cases, but it is not a primary or immediate consequence of hyperventilation. Rather, tingling and anxiety symptoms are more direct and common reactions from this physiological state.