Hypoxia refers to the state when inadequate amounts of oxygen are delivered to the tissues.

As a result, both the heart rate and respiratory rate are increased.

However, if the problem is severe, ands there is no intervention, respiration becomes increasingly depressed leading to death.

Hypoxia can lead to:

• pallor (cyanosis)
• tachypnoea (rapid respiration)
• tachycardia
• low blood pressure (hypotension)
• altered conscious state