What is the medical term for a slow respiratory rate, usually below 10 respirations per minute?

Bradypnea is the medical term used to describe a slow respiratory rate, typically defined as fewer than 10 breaths per minute. This condition can indicate underlying health issues, such as respiratory depression, and may be a result of various factors, including medication effects or central nervous system problems.

Understanding the context of bradypnea is essential since it relates to the body's ability to maintain normal gas exchange and oxygenation. A respiratory rate below the normal range can signal potential distress or a need for clinical evaluation, especially if it occurs alongside other symptoms.

In contrast, hyperpnea refers to an increased respiratory rate and depth, often seen during exercise or metabolic demands, while tachypnea indicates a rapid respiratory rate that usually exceeds 20 breaths per minute, which may occur in states of anxiety or respiratory distress. Dyspnea describes the sensation of difficult or labored breathing, which may occur at normal or abnormal respiratory rates but does not specifically indicate a slow rate.