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Respiratory rate (RR) (aka respiration rate, pulmonary ventilation rate or ventilation rate) is the number of breaths a living being, such as a human, takes within a certain amount of time (frequently given in breaths per minute).

There is only limited research on monitoring respiratory rate, and these studies have focused on such issues as the inaccuracy of respiratory rate measurement and respiratory rate as a marker for respiratory dysfunction.

human respiration rate is usually measured when a person is at rest and simply involves counting the number of breaths for one minute by counting how many times the chest rises.






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Respiratory rate (RR) (aka respiration rate, pulmonary ventilation rate or ventilation rate) is the number of breaths a living being, such as a human, takes within a certain amount of time (frequently given in breaths per minute).

There is only limited research on monitoring respiratory rate, and these studies have focused on such issues as the inaccuracy of respiratory rate measurement and respiratory rate as a marker for respiratory dysfunction.

Measurement

The human respiration rate is usually measured when a person is at rest and simply involves counting the number of breaths for one minute by counting how many times the chest rises. Respiration rates may increase with fever
Fever

Fever is a frequent medical sign that describes an increase in internal body temperature to levels above normal. Fever is most accurately characterized as a temporary elevation in the body's thermoregulatory set-point, usually by about 1?2 ?C ....
, illness, OR other medical conditions. When checking respiration, it is important to also note whether a person has any difficulty breathing.

Inaccuracies in respiratory measurement have been reported in the literature. One study compared respiratory rate counted using a 15 second count period, to a full minute, and found significant differences in the rates. Respiratory rates measurement in children under five years, for a 30 second or 60 second period, suggesting the 60 seconds resulted in the least variability. Another study found that rapid respiratory rates in babies, counted using a stethoscope
Stethoscope

The stethoscope is a acoustic medicine device for auscultation, or listening to eth internal sounds of an animal body. It is stom often used to listen to heart sounds....
, were 20–50% higher than those counted from beside the cot without the aid of the stethoscope. Similar results are seen with animals when they are being handled and not being handled—the invasiveness of touch apparently is enough to make significant changes in breathing.

Normal findings

Average respiratory rate reported in a healthy adult at rest is usually given as 12 breaths per minute ( Hz) but estimates do vary between sources, e.g., 12–20 breaths per minute, 10–14, between 16–18, etc. With such a slow rate, more accurate readings are obtained by counting the number of breaths over a full minute.

Optimum breathing

A trained, systematic approach to deep breathing may lower respiration rates in cardiac patients, helping them to maintain healthy blood oxygen levels and become more physically fit. In one study, 15 cardiac patients were assigned to one of two experimental groups. One of the groups learned "complete yoga breathing," a style of respiration that encourages slow, deep breathing at a rate of about six breaths per minute. Those patients continued practicing the breathing method at home for an hour a day. After a month, the patients practicing the breathing technique breathed more slowly, had higher levels of blood oxygen, and performed better on exercise tests.

Average respiratory rates, by age:

  • Newborns: Average 44 breaths per minute
  • Infants: 20–40 breaths per minute
  • Preschool children: 20–30 breaths per minute
  • Older children: 16–25 breaths per minute
  • Adults: 12–20 breaths per minute
  • Adults during strenuous exercise 35–45 breaths per minute
  • Athletes' peak 60–70 breaths per minute


Examples
  • 5-year-old child sitting (Breathing frequency: Hz, Tidal volume: 0.213 L)


  • Adult male sitting (Breathing frequency: Hz, Tidal volume: 0.75 L)


Minute volume

Respiratory minute volume
Respiratory minute volume

Respiratory minute volume is the volume of air which can be inhalation or exhalation from a person's lungs in one minute. This is normally registered when a person has a ventilator supporting the person's breathing due to a sickness or injury....
 is the volume
Volume

The volume of any solid, liquid, plasma, vacuum or theoretical object is how much three-dimensional space it occupies, often quantified numerically....
 of air
AIR

Air is the part of Earth's atmosphere that humans breath and as such Air .Air may also refer to:...
 which can be inhaled
Inhalation

Inhalation is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli.Inhalation begins with the onset of contraction of the diaphragm , which results in expansion of the intrapleural space and an increase in negative pressure according to Boyle's Law....
 (inhaled minute volume) or exhaled
Exhalation

Exhalation is the movement of air out of the bronchial tubes, through the airways, to the external environment during Breath out.Exhaled air is rich in carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular cellular respiration during the production of Adenosine_triphosphate....
 (exhaled minute volume) from a person's lung
Lung

The lung is the essential respiration organ in air-breathing animals, including most tetrapods, a few fish and a few snails. In mammals and the more complex life forms, the two lungs are located in the chest on either side of the heart....
s in one minute.

Diagnostic value

The value of respiratory rate as an indicator of potential respiratory dysfunction has been investigated but findings suggest it is of limited value.

One study found that only 33% of people presenting to an emergency department with an oxygen saturation
Oxygen saturation

Oxygen saturation or Dissolved oxygen is a relative measure of the amount of oxygen that is dissolved or carried in a given medium. It can be measured with a dissolved oxygen probe such as an oxygen sensor or an optode in liquid media, usually water....
 below 90% had an increased respiratory rate. An evaluation of respiratory rate for the differentiation of the severity of illness in babies under 6 months found it not to be very useful. Approximately half of the babies had a respiratory rate above 50 breaths per minute, thereby questioning the value of having a "cut-off" at 50 breaths per minute as the indicator of serious respiratory illness.

It has also been reported that factors such as crying
Crying

File:A child sad that his hot dog fell on the ground.jpgThe term crying commonly refers to the act of shedding tears as a response to an emotion in humans....
, sleep
Sleep

Sleep is the natural state of bodily rest observed in humans and other animals. It is common to all mammals and birds, and is also seen in many reptiles, amphibians and fish....
ing, agitation and age have a significant influence on the respiratory rate. As a result of these and similar studies the value of respiratory rate as an indicator of serious illness is limited.

See also

  • Dyspnea
    Dyspnea

    Dyspnea or dyspnoea , from Latin language dyspnoea, from Greek language dyspnoia from dyspnoos, shortness of breath) or shortness of breath is perceived to be difficulty of breathing or painful breathing that a patient is aware of....
  • Respirometer
    Respirometer

    A respirometer is a device used to measure the rate of Respiration of a living organism by measuring its rate of exchange of oxygen and / or carbon dioxide....