Does Hypercarbia Mean Hypercapnia?

Hypercapnia is a buildup of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream. It affects people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Are hypercarbia and hypercapnia the same?

Hypercapnia (from the Greek hyper = "above" or "too much" and kapnos = "smoke"), also known as hypercarbia and CO₂ retention, is a condition of abnormally elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the blood.

What are the effects of hypercarbia?

Hypercarbia causes an increase in heart rate, myocardial contractility, and respiratory rate along with a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. Higher systolic blood pressure, wider pulse pressure, tachycardia, greater cardiac output, higher pulmonary pressures, and tachypnea are common clinical findings.