Respiratory Health Check

For adults aged 18-64, a normal resting respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths per minute. For seniors (65+), the range extends to 12-28 breaths/min. Athletes may have rates as low as 6-12 breaths/min due to superior cardiovascular fitness and lung capacity.

A consistently elevated respiratory rate (above 20 breaths/min for adults) can indicate anxiety, fever, infection, pain, metabolic acidosis, heart failure, or respiratory disease. It is one of the earliest vital signs to change when health deteriorates.

Sleep apnea causes irregular breathing patterns during sleep, including pauses (apneas) and shallow breathing (hypopneas). Symptoms like waking gasping, morning headaches, and partner-witnessed breathing pauses strongly suggest obstructive sleep apnea and warrant a professional sleep study.

SpO2 (peripheral oxygen saturation) measures the percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen. Normal is 95-100%. Values of 92-94% are borderline and warrant monitoring. Below 92% is considered low (hypoxemia) and requires medical attention.