What is normal human respiratory rate?
12 to 20 breaths per minute = normal respiratory rate for an adult at rest. 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.
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