does an increase in co2 levels cause the heart rate to increase?
Best Answer: Hgher level of carbon dioxide would lower the blood pH and would raise the acidity. This leads to an increase in the breathing rate which in turn would result in increase in cardiac output which would then increase the heart rate!o, to summarize: There is high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood stream because of the high heart rate, from metabolic activities. The carbon dioxide alone doesn't increase the heart rate whatsoever. Source(s): A.P. Bio student.