Evie Summers
A person's respiratory rate refers to the number of breaths they take per minute, also known as BRPM. This vital sign is an important biosignal that can offer a window into a person's overall health. While asleep, a person's respiratory rate generally slows compared to when they are awake, and it naturally changes throughout the night depending on what stage of sleep they are in. During non-REM sleep, breathing becomes slower and more regular, reflecting reduced metabolic demand. In REM sleep, however, breathing can become more variable, sometimes faster or irregular, due to increased brain activity and dream-related changes. A typical nighttime respiratory rate for healthy adults is 12–20 breaths per minute, although this may vary depending on age and other factors such as medical conditions and lifestyle choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Respiratory rate is the pace of breathing, or the number of breaths taken per minute. |
| Measurement | Doctors can measure respiratory rate using a stethoscope, by hand, or by watching the chest or abdomen rise and fall. Pulse oximeters, wearable devices, and in-home sleep study devices can also be used. |
| Normal range | For healthy adults, the normal respiratory rate is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. |
| Individual variation | Individual respiratory rates may vary and can change over time. Small changes (within 1-2 breaths per minute) are typical, but larger changes may indicate abnormally high tachypnea or low bradypnea respiratory rates. |
| Age variation | Children tend to have higher respiratory rates than adults, and their rate decreases as they get older. |
| Sleep variation | Sleep tends to slow down the respiratory rate, especially during non-REM sleep. During REM sleep, respiratory rates can become more variable, sometimes faster or irregular, due to increased brain activity. |
| Influencing factors | Factors such as exercise, illness, anxiety, stress, pain, fever, lung conditions, heart conditions, metabolic conditions, medications, alcohol consumption, and sleep apnea can influence respiratory rates. |
| Health implications | Abnormal respiratory rates can be a sign of underlying health issues. Symptoms such as shortness of breath or blue lips and fingertips can indicate severe respiratory distress requiring emergency medical attention. |
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What You'll Learn
- A normal respiratory rate for adults is 12-20 breaths per minute
- Sleep apnea can cause an abnormally low respiratory rate
- Tachypnea is rapid breathing above 20 breaths per minute
- Bradypnea is typically defined as less than 12 breaths per minute
- Factors like exercise, illness, and age influence respiratory rate
A normal respiratory rate for adults is 12-20 breaths per minute
A person's respiratory rate refers to the number of breaths they take per minute. This vital sign is an important biosignal that can offer a window into a person's overall health.
During sleep, a person's respiratory rate generally slows compared to when they are awake. This is because sleep naturally slows respiration as the body shifts into a state of rest and recovery. The average nighttime respiratory rate for healthy adults is 12–20 breaths per minute. However, it is important to note that this rate is highly individualized and may change over time. Tracking your respiratory rate trends over time can help you spot any abnormalities. Typically, changes in your average respiratory rates are quite small (within 1–2 breaths per minute). Changes beyond this can indicate an abnormally high respiratory rate (tachypnea) or an abnormally low one (bradypnea).
Several factors can influence a person's respiratory rate, including medical conditions, lifestyle choices, exercise, illness, and mood. For example, conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer can make breathing difficult, leading to a high breathing rate while sleeping. Additionally, anxiety, stress, pain, fever, and dehydration can also cause an increase in respiratory rate. On the other hand, certain medications, sleep apnea, and heartburn can contribute to a low respiratory rate.
It is important to monitor your respiratory rate and be aware of any changes, as breathing significantly faster or slower than normal while sleeping could indicate an underlying health issue. If you notice any abnormalities or experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or discoloured fingers and lips, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
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Sleep apnea can cause an abnormally low respiratory rate
A person's respiratory rate, or the number of breaths they take per minute, is a vital sign that can offer a window into their overall health. While it is normal for the respiratory rate to slow down during sleep, an abnormally low respiratory rate, called bradypnea, can be caused by sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterised by pauses in breathing during sleep. There are two major forms of this disorder: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is defined by repeated stops and starts in breathing during sleep, sometimes followed by rapid breathing upon arousal. This can lead to a low breathing rate, as well as other health problems such as snoring, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and high blood pressure.
Breathing rate variability (BRV) is one measure of breathing stability. People with obstructive sleep apnea tend to have a higher BRV, reflecting a greater incidence of longer breaths. This suggests that they experience periodic waxing and waning of breathing, similar to periodic breathing.
The abnormal breathing patterns associated with sleep apnea can cause a range of symptoms, including excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, morning headaches, and decreased concentration. These symptoms often respond well to sleep apnea treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
If you or your partner notice that you have an abnormally low respiratory rate while sleeping, it is important to consult a doctor. They can evaluate your breathing and determine whether your breathing rate is cause for concern.
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Tachypnea is rapid breathing above 20 breaths per minute
A person's respiratory rate, or the number of breaths they take per minute, is an important biosignal. It is a vital sign that can offer a window into a person's overall health. During sleep, a person's respiratory rate naturally changes as their body shifts into a state of rest and recovery.
Tachypnea is a term used to define rapid and shallow breathing. It is typically defined as a symptom and a focused problem within a medical evaluation. Tachypnea is rapid breathing above 20 breaths per minute in adults. In children, the number of breaths per minute can be higher than the resting rate in adults. Tachypnea can occur when the body is at rest or during strenuous activity. It can be caused by anything from anxiety or asthma to a lung infection or heart failure. It can also be caused by choking or blood clots.
Tachypnea can be a sign of a medical emergency. Symptoms include a blue or gray colour to the skin, nails and/or lips, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and feeling short of breath. If a person is experiencing these symptoms, they should seek emergency medical treatment.
If a person believes they are breathing too fast, they can count their breaths per minute. They can also try to regulate their breathing by taking air in through their nose and exhaling through their mouth. Treatment for tachypnea usually involves taking slow, deep breaths to stop hyperventilation.
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Bradypnea is typically defined as less than 12 breaths per minute
Bradypnea is characterised by a respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths per minute. It is considered an abnormally slow breathing rate for an individual's age and activity level. The condition can occur when a person is awake or asleep.
The average respiratory rate for a healthy adult is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. However, this can vary depending on age and other factors such as exertion, anxiety, pain, fever, and lung conditions. For example, exercise or physical activity can cause an increase in respiratory rate, while conditions such as asthma or pneumonia can make breathing more difficult, leading to a higher breathing rate while sleeping.
Bradypnea can be a symptom of an underlying health condition or issue. It may be caused by hypothyroidism, head injuries, opioids, alcohol, or exposure to toxins. For example, hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, affecting metabolism and breathing. Similarly, opioids and alcohol can affect the body's regulatory functions, including breathing.
Healthcare professionals can diagnose and treat bradypnea by identifying the underlying cause. Treatment options may include medication to address the specific cause, such as thyroid medication for an underactive thyroid. In some cases, doctors may prescribe a breathing mask and supplemental oxygen to ensure the body receives sufficient oxygen.
It is important to monitor respiratory rate trends over time to identify any significant changes, as these could indicate an abnormally high or low respiratory rate.
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Factors like exercise, illness, and age influence respiratory rate
The average respiratory rate, or the number of breaths someone takes every minute, varies depending on factors such as age, activity levels, illnesses, and injuries. Typically, young children have higher breathing rates, which progressively decrease as they grow older and enter adulthood. A normal respiratory rate for healthy adults falls between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. However, this rate can be influenced by factors such as exercise, illness, and age.
Exercise or physical activity can cause an increase in respiratory rate. The respiratory system's response to exercise becomes greater as the intensity and duration of the exercise increase, leading to a higher demand for oxygen. This is particularly true for exercises that focus on muscular endurance and anaerobic fitness, which can result in elevated respiration rates for 20–40 minutes post-workout. Even light activities, such as walking across a room, can impact respiratory rate.
Illnesses and injuries can also influence respiratory rate. Certain health issues, such as anxiety, fever, respiratory diseases, heart diseases, and dehydration, can cause breathing rates to speed up. Conversely, conditions like sleep apnea, which involves blockage of the airway, can lead to a lower breathing rate. Additionally, medications such as corticosteroids and bronchodilators have been associated with increased breathing rates during sleep.
Age plays a significant role in respiratory rate as well. Children tend to have faster breathing rates than adults, with rates decreasing as they grow older. For instance, once a child reaches the age of two, their respiration rate reduces from 44 breaths per minute to 26. Therefore, it is essential to consider age when evaluating an individual's respiratory rate.
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Frequently asked questions
A typical nighttime respiratory rate for healthy adults is 12–20 breaths per minute. However, respiratory rates vary by age, with young children having higher rates that decrease as they get older. During non-REM sleep, breathing slows down and becomes more regular, while in REM sleep, it can become faster or irregular due to increased brain activity.
A high respiratory rate, or tachypnea, can be caused by various factors, including anxiety, infections, fever, lung conditions, heart conditions, metabolic conditions, certain medications, and sleep-related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.
A low respiratory rate, or bradypnea, can be caused by sleep apnea, heartburn, certain medications or drugs, and other sleep-related breathing disorders such as central sleep apnea or hypoventilation disorders.
