How does the body typically respond to high altitude?

The body's response to high altitude primarily involves an increase in respiratory rate. At higher altitudes, the atmospheric pressure decreases, which results in a lower partial pressure of oxygen. Consequently, the amount of oxygen available for the body to use diminishes, leading to hypoxia, or a lack of sufficient oxygen in the tissues.

In an effort to compensate for this reduced availability of oxygen, the body initiates several physiological changes to enhance oxygen delivery. One of the most immediate responses is an increase in the respiratory rate, helping to improve ventilation and increase the amount of oxygen that enters the lungs. This adjustment facilitates a greater oxygen uptake in the alveoli, ultimately supporting more efficient oxygen transport in the bloodstream.

Other physiological adaptations may also occur over time with prolonged exposure to high altitude, such as increased production of red blood cells due to erythropoietin stimulation, but the initial response is characterized by increased respiratory efforts to counteract hypoxemia.