
Though Cheyne Stokes breathing may appear erratic, it often occurs in cycles lasting between 30 seconds and two minutes. This irregular, often uncomfortable-to-watch pattern of breathing is often seen in the last days and hours of life, but may also be seen in some people with congestive heart failure. 1
What is the normal breathing pattern?
What is the normal breathing pattern? To understand breathing we should be aware of the normal breathing pattern. In normal breathing at rest, there are small in breaths (inhalation) followed by the out breaths (exhalation). The out breath is followed by an automatic pause (or period of no breathing) for about 1 to 2 seconds.
What is the breathing pattern before death?
What is breathing like before death? A dying person’s breathing will change from a normal rate and rhythm to a new pattern, where you may observe several rapid breaths followed by a period of no breathing (apnea). These periods of apnea will eventually increase from a few seconds to more extended periods during which no breath is taken.
What causes Cheyne Stokes respirations?
What Causes Cheyne-Stokes Breathing?
- advanced pneumonia
- carbon monoxide poisoning
- Toxic encephalopathy
- Kidney failure
- Hyponatremia
- some drugs
- Overdose of morphine
How long does Cheyne Stokes breathing last?
This is known as Cheyne-Stokes breathing. This can last for a short time or long time before breathing finally stops. How long does Cheyne-Stokes breathing last? Though Cheyne Stokes breathing may appear erratic, it often occurs in cycles lasting between 30 seconds and two minutes.

How long can you have Cheyne-Stokes breathing?
Though Cheyne Stokes breathing may appear erratic, it often occurs in cycles lasting between 30 seconds and two minutes.
Why is it called Cheyne-Stokes breathing?
The condition was named after John Cheyne and William Stokes, the physicians who first described it in the 19th century. The term became widely known and used in the Soviet Union after the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953, because the Soviet press announced that the ailing Stalin had Cheyne–Stokes respiration.
What is the most common cause of Cheyne-Stokes respiration?
Unlike obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which can be the cause of heart failure, Cheyne-Stokes respiration is believed to be a result of heart failure. The presence of Cheyne-Stokes respiration in patients with heart failure also predicts worse outcomes and increases the risk of sudden cardiac death.
What are the 3 breathing patterns?
Eupnea is normal breathing. Sighing is an involuntary inspiration that is 1.5 to 2 times greater than normal tidal volume. Sighing breathing is observed in subjects suffering from anxiety with no observed organic pathology. Dyspnea is the subjective sensation of difficulty breathing.
What is the difference between Kussmaul and Cheyne-Stokes?
Both Kussmaul breathing and Cheyne Stokes breathing are characterized by fast breathing and too much carbon dioxide in the body, but that's where their similarities end. Kussmaul breathing doesn't alternate between fast and slow breathing or cause breathing to stop like Cheyne Stokes does.
What's the difference between Cheyne-Stokes and Biot's?
1:182:54Comparing Cheyne Stokes And Biot's Breathing Patterns - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd so the brain and the respiratory center will not send signals to the breathing muscles like theMoreAnd so the brain and the respiratory center will not send signals to the breathing muscles like the diaphragm to contract. So these patients will simply not breathe. But as time goes on more and more
Why does Cheyne Stokes breathe?
Causes of Cheyne Stokes breathing. Cheyne Stokes is usually related to heart failure or stroke. It may also be caused by: People who are dying often experience Cheyne Stokes breathing. This is a natural effect of the body’s attempt to compensate for changing carbon dioxide levels.
What is Cheyne Stokes?
When Cheyne Stokes occurs during sleep, it’s considered a form of central sleep apnea with an extended period of fast breathing (hyper ventilation). Central sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing briefly and increases the levels of carbon dioxide in your body.
What is the difference between Cheyne Stokes and Kussmaul?
Both Kussmaul breathing and Cheyne Stokes breathing are characterized by fast breathing and too much carbon dioxide in the body, but that’s where their similarities end. Kussmaul breathing doesn’t alternate between fast and slow breathing or cause breathing to stop like Cheyne Stokes does.
How do you know if you have sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea can happen to anyone, but it’s most common in people who are obese. Symptoms may include: 1 daytime sleepiness 2 waking up short of breath 3 morning headaches 4 mood changes 5 difficulty concentrating
Why does Kussmaul breathe?
Kussmaul breathing is often caused by late-stage diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a metabolic condition caused by a lack of insulin and too much glucagon in the body. Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that increases blood sugar. Kussmaul breathing may also be present in people with kidney failure.
How often do you stop breathing when you sleep?
This condition causes you to stop breathing for 10 seconds or more while you sleep. Although everyone’s breathing pauses occasionally during sleep, people with obstructive sleep apnea stop breathing at least five times per hour. In severe cases, people may stop breathing every minute.
What is it called when you breathe too slowly?
When someone breathes too slowly or too shallowly, it’s called hypoventilation. It leads to low oxygen levels and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Hypoventilation may be caused by lung problems that obstruct the lower airways, such as emphysema, cystic fibrosis, or bronchitis.
What is Cheyne Stokes respiration?
Cheyne-stokes respirations are a pattern of breathing which is very irregular, and not surprisingly, is sometimes referred to as "agonal breathing.". Ariel Skelley / Getty Images.
How long does Cheyne Stokes breathe?
Though Cheyne Stokes breathing may appear erratic, it often occurs in cycles lasting between 30 seconds and two minutes. This irregular, often uncomfortable-to-watch pattern of breathing is often seen in the last days and hours of life, but may also be seen in some people with congestive heart failure. 1 .
Why does breathing cause apnea?
It's thought that the pattern of waxing and waning may result first from deep breathing to increase oxygen level to the body (which decreases carbon dioxide levels in the blood) followed by periods of apnea (not breathing) as the body compensates for the decreased carbon dioxide by limiting breaths while the carbon dioxide in the blood increases .
Why do people breathe Cheyne Stokes?
Cheyne-Stokes breathing is commonly seen when people are in the dying process from any illness including cancer. This will be discussed first, but keep in mind that there are other causes discussed further below, and this breathing may occur in people who are not actively dying.
Is Cheyne Stokes a compensatory response?
At the present time, the view is leaning towards believing that this is a physiological compensatory response that does not necessarily need to be treated per se.
Is Cheyne Stokes breathing uncomfortable?
It's important to note that this breathing is not uncomfortable for the dying person, and it does not need to be treated for comfort purposes. In fact, it is probably ...
How to prevent Cheyne Stokes?
People with these conditions should ensure they follow their treatment plan to help manage their symptoms, which may help prevent Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Avoiding exposure to heavy metals and other toxins, which can cause toxic encephalopathy, will also help prevent the condition.
Which physiological processes lead to the development of Cheyne-Stokes respiration?
The physiological processes that lead to the development of Cheyne-Stokes respiration, which involves the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and sympathetic nervous systems, are not fully understood.
What is Kussmaul respiration?
Kussmaul respiration can be seen in people with diabetic ketoacidosis or kidney failure. It is a compensatory measure to try and regain a balance between acid and alkaline in the body, as the body tries to rapidly exhale carbon dioxide, which is acidic.
What is cluster breathing?
Cluster breathing. Also known as Biot’s respirations, cluster breathing is characterized by groups, or clusters, of rapid, shallow breathing. This is followed by periods of apnea. It differs from Cheyne-Stokes respiration in that it does not feature cycles of deep breathing, or gradual alternations in breathing patterns.
What are the risk factors for Cheyne Stokes?
The major risk factors for Cheyne-Stokes respiration are heart failure and stroke, although development of any of the conditions associated with Cheyne-Stokes can be considered a risk factor.
What is the respiratory condition that causes shortness of breath?
People with Cheyne-Stokes respiration usually experience: Orthopnea: This is shortness of breath when lying down. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea: Severe shortness of breath and coughing fits. These usually occur at night, and disrupt sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue: This is caused by periods of interrupted sleep.
What is periodic respiration?
Cheyne-Stokes respiration, also known as periodic respiration, is an abnormal pattern of breathing. It consists of cycles of breathing, which become increasingly deeper, followed by periods where respiration becomes gradually shallower. There may then be a period of apnea, where breathing briefly ceases, before the cycle begins again.
Who is at risk of Cheyne-Stokes respiration?
Cheyne-Stokes breathing often occurs during deep sleep and may be seen in newborn babies. Conditions associated with Cheyne-Stokes breathing include:
What are the signs and symptoms that accompany Cheyne-Stokes respiration?
People with Cheyne-Stokes respiration may experience the following symptoms:
How is Cheyne-Stokes respiration managed?
Because Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a symptom, the underlying cause must be treated.
What are other abnormal respirations?
Kussmaul breathing: Deep, labored, fast breathing that occurs due to metabolic acidosis. It is mostly seen in diabetic ketoacidosis.
What is the name of the condition that causes a person to breathe slowly and slowly?
Cheyne–Stokes respiration (named after the physicians who first described the condition) is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by progressively deeper and sometimes faster breathing, followed by a gradual decrease that results in an apnea. This type of central sleep apnea is most commonly associated with congestive heart failure or stroke. This condition is characterized by a gradual increase and then decrease in breathing effort and airflow. During the weakest breathing effort, a total lack of airflow (central sleep apnea) can occur.
What is central sleep apnea?
This condition is characterized by a gradual increase and then decrease in breathing effort and airflow. During the weakest breathing effort, a total lack of airflow (central sleep apnea) can occur.
What happens when you breathe 20 seconds apart?
Another thing that happens as the person gets closer to death is that the time between inhales widens. When breaths are towards 20-30 seconds apart, death may be happening very soon. I say "may" because there is always someone who has this breathing pattern and will live much longer.
What happens when you breathe closer to death?
Another thing that happens as the person gets closer to death is that the time between inhales widens. When breaths are towards 20-30 seconds apart, death may be happening very soon. I say "may" because there is always someone who has this breathing pattern and will live much longer. Overall, breaths will be getting more shallow and the time between inhales will space out.
Can Cheyne Stokes cause heart failure?
Cheyne-Stokes respirations can occur in other nonterminal disorders such as heart failure and stroke. It is interesting to note that patients who are able to speak generally say that no distress is associated with this breathing pattern. From this we may extrapolate to dying patients, who usually cannot speak with Cheyne-Stokes respirations, and presume that the syndrome is not disturbing to the patient. However, family members and clinicians may assume or project distress into this syndrome and thus often need to be coached. I usually explain that the pattern results from a breakdown in "cycling" between the lungs and the brain and that, as far as we know, it is not bothersome to the patient..."

Overview
- During Cheyne-Stokes, breathing can be very deep and rapid (hyperpnea), followed by periods of slow shallow breaths, or interrupted by episodes of apnea, in which an individual stops breathing altogether for a period of time. Though Cheyne Stokes breathing may appear erratic, it often occurs in cycles lasting between 30 seconds and two minutes. Thi...
Causes
- Cheyne-Stokes breathing is commonly seen when people are in the dying processfrom any illness including cancer. This will be discussed first, but keep in mind that there are other causes discussed further below, and this breathing may occur in people who are not actively dying.
Physiology and Purpose
- It's not known exactly why this type of central sleep apnea (breathing that is monitored by the central nervous system) occurs. Recent thought has been that Cheyne-Stokes breathing may be a way in which the body compensates in some way, rather than a problem in and of itself. It's thought that the pattern of waxing and waning may result first from deep breathing to increase o…
Cheyne-Stokes Breathing in Congestive Heart Failure
- Cheyne-Stokes breathing is fairly common among people with congestive heart failure and is considered a poor prognostic sign.1 That said, some people with Cheyne-Stokes breathing secondary to heart failure go on to live for a long period of time.
Treatment
- Over the years a fair amount of research has been done on the right way to treat Cheyne-Stokes respiration. At the present time, the view is leaning towards believing that this is a physiological compensatory response that does not necessarily need to be treated per se. Central sleep apnea such is this disordered breathing may alert doctors to examine other findings with regard to hea…