Excessive carbon dioxide in the blood caused by failure of mechanisms, such as breathing rate, that normally control the carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Hypercapnia leads to respiratory acidosis.
An abnormal increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood or in the lungs (see BLOOD GASES). It may be caused by a reduced respiratory rate or e?ort, diseases of the chest wall and lung (affecting breathing), and cyanotic heart disease.
(hypercarbia) n. the presence in the blood of an abnormally high concentration of carbon dioxide.
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