In a Healthy Individual, How is Ventilation and Perfusion Affected

Question

In a healthy individual, how is ventilation and perfusion affected by high altitude exposure?
A) Only ventilation is increased
B) Only perfusion is increased
C) Both ventilation and pulmonary perfusion are increased
D) Ventilation is increased and pulmonary perfusion decreases slightly

Accepted Answer

At high altitudes, the partial pressure of oxygen in the air is lower, which leads to a decrease in the amount of oxygen that is available to the body. In response to this, the body increases both ventilation (the rate and depth of breathing) and pulmonary perfusion (the blood flow to the lungs) in order to increase the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the tissues.