hyperventilation syndrome (hvs); also known as chronic hyperventilation syndrome (chvs), dysfunctional breathing hyperventilation syndrome, cryptotetany, spasmophilia, latent tetany, central neuronal hyper excitability syndrom (nhs), is a respiratory disorder, psychologically or physiologically based, involving breathing too deeply or too rapidly (hyperventilation). hvs may present with chest pain and a tingling sensation in the fingertips and around the mouth (paresthesia) and may accompany a panic attack.