Understanding Your Respiratory Rate While Sleeping

What Is Sleep’s Relationship to Respiratory Rate?

Once we fall asleep, the pace at which we breathe is determined by our metabolic rate Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Most people breathe more slowly when they are asleep, and breathing evens out and becomes less variable with each successive stage of sleep. However, research shows that we also breathe faster and more erratically during the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage.

What Is a Normal Respiratory Rate During Sleep?

The normal respiratory rate during sleep depends on age Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Our respiratory rate at rest changes as we grow older Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Children breathe faster than adults, and their average respiratory rate at rest decreases with age Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

In addition, infants can also experience something called periodic breathing Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . An infant’s respiratory rate can vary dramatically during a periodic breathing episode. It may be very low, high, or briefly stop altogether. These episodes are considered normal and not a cause for concern in most children.

How Is Respiratory Rate Measured?

The simplest way of measuring someone’s respiratory rate is by counting how many times they breathe in a minute Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , usually by watching for the rise and fall of their chest. However, even experts can struggle to perform an accurate count Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . In medical settings, your respiratory rate might be monitored by a wearable device Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

What Does Respiratory Rate Measure?

Although respiratory rate may appear to only measure the number of breaths per minute, it also serves to measure the health of bodily processes that are involved in breathing Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Just four breaths over or under the average rate can predict poor medical outcomes Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source in some people. Because of this sensitivity, respiratory rate is an important statistic for health professionals.

What Causes a Low Respiratory Rate During Sleep?

An abnormally low respiratory rate is called bradypnea Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . Sleep apnea Trusted Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the nation's leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. View Source is a breathing disorder that causes people’s breathing to slow and stop for brief periods while they are asleep. There are two major forms of this disorder, obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

People may also experience a low respiratory rate while asleep for reasons unrelated to a sleep disorder. Other conditions that can cause bradypnea include:

• Asthma or other lung disorders
• Heartburn
• Pneumonia
• Allergic reaction
• Heart conditions and cardiac arrest
• Drug use or overdose, particularly of a central nervous system depressant

Take Our Quiz to Know Your Sleep Apnea Risk

If these symptoms sound familiar, we encourage you to take our short quiz below to understand whether you may have sleep apnea.

Having trouble sleeping?

Take this quiz to find out if you’re at risk of having sleep apnea.

On average, how many hours a night did you sleep in the last month?

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Do you often wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep?

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How would you describe your sleep quality?

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Do you feel rested when you first wake up in the morning?

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I rarely feel rested

I sometimes feel rested

I often feel rested

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Do you snore when you sleep?

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Do you awaken short of breath or with a headache in the morning?

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Based on your answers, you may have sleep apnea risk

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes repeated lapses in breathing during sleep. Symptoms can include snoring, headaches, and excessive sleepiness. Sleep apnea can be diagnosed using an at-home test.

Given your risk level, consider our At-Home Sleep Apnea Test to get an official diagnosis today.

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What Causes a High Respiratory Rate During Sleep?

Rapid shallow breathing is called tachypnea Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source , while deep rapid breathing is usually referred to as hyperventilation. However, both terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Neither form of high respiratory rate is a common symptom of any sleep disorder, though tachypnea is sometimes seen in people with sleep apnea Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source being treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

Other causes of an abnormally high respiratory rate include:

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung conditions
• Lung infections such as pneumonia
• Blood clot in one of the lung’s arteries
• Heart failure

Symptoms of an Abnormal Respiratory Rate While Asleep

An abnormal respiratory rate is considered a symptom itself and may not cause any further symptoms. However, the low respiratory rate associated with sleep apnea can cause people to experience excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, morning headaches, and a decrease in concentration. These symptoms usually respond well to sleep apnea treatments like CPAP therapy.

Most other causes of an abnormal respiratory rate tend to have their own symptoms, which may be acute or chronic.

Should I Talk To My Doctor About My Sleep Respiratory Rate?

Both low and high respiratory rates are often caused by conditions like heartburn or anxiety. However, they might also indicate that something is seriously wrong. Very rapid and shallow breathing is considered a medical emergency when not caused solely by anxiety.

Experts recommend immediate medical attention if someone with a low respiratory rate:

• Goes limp
• Is drowsy or loses consciousness
• Has a seizure
• Turns blue

You should also contact emergency medical services if someone with a high respiratory rate develops:

• Bluish or grayish skin, gums, nails, lips, or eyes
• Pain or a pulling sensation in their chest
• Fever
• Labored or difficult breathing
• An increase in the severity of their symptoms

If you notice that you have an abnormal respiratory rate, consult your doctor. They will be able to determine whether your breathing rate is cause for concern and discover any disorder that may be causing your symptoms.