Understanding Carbon Dioxide Levels in the Blood: Risks & Normal Ranges

Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas in nature. The human body breathes in oxygen and produces carbon dioxide as a waste by-product. However, there are serious risk factors associated having too much carbon dioxide in the blood, as well as too little.

Normal Levels

• The normal amount of carbon dioxide in the blood is 40 mm Hg. The gas supports optimal cardiovascular function and digestion.

Symptoms of Low Carbon Dioxide Levels

• When the body does not receive enough carbon dioxide into the bloodstream, the blood vessels constrict. Some symptoms of this include dizziness, fainting and muscle cramping.

Causes of Low Carbon Dioxide Levels

• A low carbon dioxide level is called "hypocapnia." Hypocapnia is most often caused by high blood pressure or hyperventilation, breathing in too much air repeatedly over an extended period.

Symptoms of High Carbon Dioxide Levels

• Headaches, muscle twitches, and disorientation are all signs of having too much carbon dioxide in your bloodstream.

Causes of High Carbon Dioxide Levels

• The most common cause of hypercapnia is hypoventilation, repeatedly breathing in insufficient levels of air to allow the respiratory system to expunge the carbon dioxide from the body.

Major Ramifications

• Too much of an imbalance of carbon dioxide levels in the blood can result in brain damage and even death.