What is the term for an increased respiratory rate?

The term used to describe an increased respiratory rate is "Tachypnea." This condition indicates that a person is breathing faster than normal, typically defined as a respiratory rate exceeding 20 breaths per minute in adults. It can occur due to various factors including exercise, stress, fever, or respiratory conditions.

While "Hyperpnea" refers to increased breathing that may be deep (but not necessarily fast) often seen during exercise or metabolic demands, it doesn't specifically denote a rapid respiratory rate. "Bradypnea" signifies an abnormally slow breathing rate, and "Apnea" denotes a cessation of breathing altogether. Each of these terms describes different respiratory conditions, emphasizing why Tachypnea accurately captures the essence of an elevated respiratory rate.