Definition

Hypoventilation is breathing that is too shallow or too slow to meet the needs of the body.

If a person hypoventilates, the body's carbon dioxide level rises. This causes a buildup of acid and too little oxygen in the blood.

A person with hypoventilation might feel sleepy.

References

Mccormack MC, West JB. Ventilation, blood flow, and gas exchange. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 10.