Friday, February, 10, 2012

Rapid shallow breathing

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Tachypnea; Breathing - rapid and shallow; Fast shallow breathing; Respiratory rate - rapid and shallow


Home Care

Rapid, shallow breathing should not be treated at home and is generally considered a medical emergency.

If you have asthma or COPD, then use your inhaler medications as prescribed by your doctor. You may still need to be checked by a health care provider right away. Your doctor will explain when it is important to go to the emergency room.


Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor right away or go to the emergency room if you are breathing rapidly, especially if you have:

  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Never had rapid breathing before
  • Shortness of breath

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The health care provider will do a thorough exam of your heart, lungs, abdomen, and head and neck.

Tests that may be ordered include:

  • Arterial blood gas and pulse oximetry to check your oxygen level
  • Chest x-ray
  • Complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistries
  • ECG
  • Ventilation/perfusion scan of your lungs

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the rapid breathing. Treatment may include oxygen if your oxygen level is too low and nebulized respiratory treatments if you are having an asthma attack.


Review Date: 05/21/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)