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What may increase your risk of a problem from hyperventilation?

Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight disease. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.

Conditions

Age older than 60
A head injury within the past 4 weeks
A mental health problem, such as an anxiety disorder or depression
High altitude
Pregnancy or recent delivery
Surgery to remove the spleen

Lifestyle choices

Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
Drug abuse or withdrawal
Smoking or other tobacco use

Medicines

Amphetamines
Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines
Beta2-agonist medicines, such as albuterol, aminophylline, ephedrine, epinephrine, terbutaline, and theophylline
Progesterone

Diseases

Anemia
Asthma
Cancer
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Diabetes
Heart arrhythmias
Heart disease
Heart failure
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Lung disease
Panic disorder
Pneumonia
Pulmonary edema
Pulmonary embolus
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sepsis
Sickle cell disease
Stroke
Thyroid problems, such as Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism

Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Last Updated	September 12, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: September 12, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.