Upper UTIs are infections of the kidneys. These are potentially life threatening, if bacteria move from the infected kidney into the blood. This condition is called sepsis. Sepsis can cause dangerously low blood pressures, shock, and death.
So whe you hold your breath, you stop getting oxygen in your lungs that go to your heart. The oxygen level in the blood drops, so your muscles need more oxygen, so the heart pumps faster. This is like running, your muscles need more oxygen so heart pumps faster
Swim coach Bryan Mineo explains why holding your breath will slow you down and provides advice for kicking this bad habit. Most inexperienced swimmers mistakenly hold their breath at some point during the stroke cycle.