An elevated respiratory rate, known medically as tachypnea, refers to breathing that is faster and more shallow than normal. It is not a disease, but a sign the body is responding to a specific demand or an underlying issue. This rapid breathing can be a temporary and harmless reaction or an indication of a medical condition that requires attention.
Understanding Normal and Elevated Respiratory Rates
A person’s respiratory rate is measured by counting the breaths taken in one minute while at rest. This measurement provides insight into how the body is managing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. An elevated rate suggests this process has been disrupted or the body’s need for oxygen has increased.
A normal resting respiratory rate changes significantly with age. For a healthy adult, the range is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. Children have faster breathing rates that slow as they grow:
- Newborns and infants: 30 to 60 breaths per minute
- Toddlers (1-2 years): 24 to 40 breaths per minute
- Preschoolers (3-5 years): 22 to 34 breaths per minute
- School-aged children (6-12 years): 18 to 30 breaths per minute
The rate settles into the adult range during adolescence.
A respiratory rate consistently above the established range for a person’s age group at rest is defined as elevated. For adults, a rate over 20 breaths per minute is considered tachypnea. This increase can signal that the body is working harder to maintain adequate oxygen levels or to expel excess carbon dioxide.
Common Causes of an Elevated Respiratory Rate
The reasons for an accelerated breathing rate can be separated into physiological responses and medical causes. Physiological tachypnea is a normal reaction to stressors that increase the body’s demand for oxygen. Strenuous exercise, for example, can raise an adult’s respiratory rate to 40-60 breaths per minute to supply working muscles with more oxygen. Being at a high altitude or having a fever also causes temporary tachypnea.
Anxiety and panic attacks are other non-medical triggers where the body’s stress response leads to hyperventilation. Medical causes stem from underlying health conditions. Respiratory diseases are a frequent source of tachypnea, as conditions like asthma, COPD, and pneumonia impact the lungs’ ability to function. A blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) is another serious cause.
Cardiovascular problems, such as heart failure, can also lead to an elevated respiratory rate. When the heart cannot pump blood effectively, the body is deprived of oxygen, and breathing quickens to compensate. Metabolic conditions are also linked to tachypnea. For example, with diabetic ketoacidosis, the body responds with rapid breathing to correct the blood’s pH balance. Widespread infection leading to sepsis is another cause that increases oxygen demand.
Associated Signs and When to Seek Medical Attention
While a temporarily elevated rate from exercise is normal, rapid breathing with other specific signs warrants medical evaluation. The most direct symptom is a feeling of shortness of breath (dyspnea). This sensation of not being able to get enough air is an indicator that the body is struggling.
A warning sign is a change in skin color, particularly a bluish tint on the lips, skin, or nail beds, known as cyanosis. This discoloration indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood and requires immediate medical help. Other concerning symptoms include chest pain or pressure, dizziness, confusion, or feeling lightheaded.
In children, visible signs of increased work to breathe are serious. These include nasal flaring, where the nostrils spread open with each breath, and retractions, where the skin sinks in between the ribs, below the breastbone, or at the neck. These are signs that a person is using accessory muscles to breathe, signaling respiratory distress. If rapid breathing is accompanied by any of these warning signs, seeking prompt medical attention is advised.