What is Normal Respiratory Rate?

What is normal respiratory rate?

Normal Respiratory Rate = 15 breaths per minute (range = 12 to 18).

• A respiration rate under 12 or over 25 breaths per minute while resting may be a sign of an underlying health condition.

Whereas, a normal respiratory rate for an infant is 30 to 60 breaths per minute.

Factors affecting respiratory rate

• Age. Younger children typically have higher respiratory rates compared to adults
• Physical activity. Exercise increases respiratory rate to meet the body’s higher oxygen demands
• Emotional state. Stress, anxiety, and excitement can all lead to an increased respiratory rate
• Respiratory/cardiac/other diseases. E.g. asthma/COPD, CHF, pneumonia and some infections can affect breathing rate
• Temperature. Fever can increase respiratory rate, while hypothermia can decrease it
• Fitness level. Athletes often have lower resting respiratory rate due to more efficient lung function

Conditions that can cause abnormal breathing rates

• Tachypnoea: rapid breathing, which can be a symptom of a medical condition
• Bradypnoea: an abnormally slow respiratory rate, which is usually defined as less than 12 breaths per minute in adults
• Hyperventilation: rapid, deep breathing, usually caused by anxiety or panic
• Dyspnoea (difficulty breathing): and its causes. Usually causes tachypnoea.

Other Resource

A normal human being