In people with a Hypoxic Drive, an increase in breathing rate occurs when ______________ levels are low.

In individuals with a hypoxic drive, the body relies on low oxygen levels as the primary stimulus for the respiratory drive rather than the usual carbon dioxide levels. This adaptive mechanism is particularly significant in certain patients, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where quality of respiratory function is compromised over time.

When oxygen levels fall, the body responds by increasing the breathing rate in an effort to bring more oxygen into the bloodstream. This compensatory mechanism helps to maintain oxygen saturation levels when proper respiration is impaired. In contrast to a normal respiratory drive, which is stimulated by rising carbon dioxide levels, those with a hypoxic drive prioritize oxygen levels. Therefore, when oxygen levels are low, the response to increase the breathing rate becomes a crucial element of respiratory regulation in these individuals.