Hypoxia and Medicine

Why does death from carbon monoxide occur due to hypoxia(lack of oxygen)?

Public Comments

1. CO (carbon monoxide) causes death from hypoxia because the heme molecule on the red blood cells (which is what carries oxygen to the tissues) has a higher affinity for CO than it does for oxygen. Therefore the CO will be picked up first and fill up the spaces in the heme molecule, leaving no room for the necessary oxygen. Oxygen levels plummet, you become hypoxic, and then die.