Respiratory Health Check
Check your resting breathing rate against clinical reference ranges, with an optional SpO2 reference and a sleep-apnea symptom screen. Updates live as you move the slider.
Tick anything you experience regularly.
Respiratory rate is the neglected vital sign
Of the four vital signs, breathing rate is the most likely to be skipped, yet an abnormal resting rate is one of the strongest early predictors of clinical deterioration (Cretikos 2008). This is a reference check, not a diagnosis: a single reading at rest can be affected by anxiety, recent activity, caffeine, or talking. What matters most is a clear change from your own usual baseline. A resting rate that climbs and stays high, or any concerning value alongside symptoms, is worth raising with a healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal respiratory rate for adults?
For adults aged 18-64, a normal resting respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths per minute. For seniors (65+), the most evidence-supported normal range is roughly 12-22 breaths/min. Well-trained athletes sometimes report resting rates at the lower end of the adult range; figures below 8 breaths/min are not a healthy target and are flagged as concerning regardless of fitness.
What does a high respiratory rate indicate?
A consistently elevated respiratory rate (above 20 breaths/min for adults) can be associated with anxiety, fever, infection, pain, metabolic acidosis, heart failure, or respiratory disease. It is one of the earliest vital signs to change when health deteriorates, which is why a clear rise from your usual baseline is worth attention.
How is respiratory rate connected to sleep apnea?
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.
What is SpO2 and what is a normal level?
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.
Learn more
Related tools
- Cretikos MA, Bellomo R, Hillman K, et al. (2008). Respiratory rate: the neglected vital sign. Med J Aust, 188(11):657-659. PubMed
- Nicolò A, Massaroni C, Schena E, Sacchetti M (2020). The Importance of Respiratory Rate Monitoring. Front Physiol, 11:585. PubMed
- American Lung Association. Understanding Vital Signs: The Importance of Your Respiratory Rate. lung.org. (Adult resting normal 12-20 breaths/min.)
- Sapra A, Malik A, Bhandari P. Vital Sign Assessment. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf NBK553213; and early-warning-score literature (NEWS). (Tachypnea >20, bradypnea <12, critical low ≤8.)
- Barrett KE, Barman SM, Brooks HL, Yuan JX (2019). Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed. McGraw-Hill.
This was a reference check. Want continuous respiratory-rate tracking pulled straight from your wearable?
Try MyBodyAI — Free Forever → Learn how it works →