Agonal breathing is a medical emergency that many people may witness but not fully understand. It refers to abnormal, gasping breaths that occur when someone is struggling to breathe, often during critical situations like cardiac arrest or severe brain injury.
Unlike normal breathing, agonal breaths are irregular, slow, and can sound like choking or snorting. Recognizing this can be life-saving, as it typically indicates the person is in distress and needs immediate help.
Agonal breathing is fairly common among cardiac arrest patients because it can be observed in about 40-60% of cases within the first few minutes. It’s worth noting too that someone who has collapsed and is gasping for air will probably require some form of emergency support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Identifying the warning signs, underlying causes, and actions to take in an event of agonal breathing can prove to be important in such emergencies.
This article will help you identify agonal breathing, explain its causes, and guide you on how to respond effectively during this critical emergency.
What is Agonal Breathing?
So what is agonal breathing? Agonal breathing, also known as agonal respirations, refers to weak, irregular breaths that can sound like gasping, snoring, or choking. It often looks like the person is struggling to breathe or making sudden, involuntary gasps. Unlike normal breathing, agonal breaths don’t provide enough oxygen, and they usually happen during serious medical emergencies, like cardiac arrest.
When someone goes into sudden cardiac arrest, they may show signs of agonal breathing for a few seconds to a few minutes after their heart stops beating. It’s important to know that this is not normal breathing, and it’s a sign that immediate action is needed. Acting quickly can save lives and in fact, studies show that 27% of patients with agonal breathing were discharged alive, compared to just 9% of those without it.
Recognizing agonal breathing and knowing how to respond can make a critical difference. Keep reading to learn what to do if you see it.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Agonal Breathing
Agonal breathing is when someone takes short, gasping breaths that are not normal. These breaths are shallow, irregular, and more like a series of strange, half-breaths. The sound of agonal breathing often resembles snorting or labored breathing.
If a person is in cardiac arrest and starts gasping for air, they will likely be unconscious and unresponsive. It’s important not to confuse these gasps with normal breathing.
Recognizing agonal breathing as a sign of distress can help ensure that cardiac arrest victims get the immediate help they need. Let’s break down all these signs and symptoms of agonal breathing.
1. Gasping Breaths
Agonal breathing is characterized by sudden, irregular gasping breaths that are often difficult to recognize at first. These breaths are not normal or steady; instead, they come in quick bursts and can sound like the person is struggling to breathe.
For example, imagine someone who suddenly collapses during a sports game. While they may initially breathe normally, you might notice a change where they start making these irregular gasping sounds, trying to catch their breath.
This is a sign that something is seriously wrong, and they need immediate medical help, as agonal breathing indicates their body is in distress and struggling to get enough oxygen.
2. Noisy Breathing Sounds
Agonal breathing might come with odd and worrisome sounds which indicate that an emergency is present.
This can include sounds such as gasping for breath, choking, snorting, or even gurgling, and may be due to the person’s desperate attempts to get air into their lungs. Such sounds could be alarming or disturbing to witnesses and most often are a tell-tale sign that the person is in trouble.
According to a study published in BMJ Open, only 18% of calls with descriptions of agonal breathing were recognized as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) at initial dispatch
Being familiar with these symptoms can provide peace of mind as they can often serve as the first signal of intervention and care that the person requires.
3. Irregular Breathing Pattern
The breathing pattern during this condition is very irregular, unlike the steady rhythm of normal breathing.
People may take breaths that come at unexpected intervals, with some being very slow and others much faster. There might be long pauses between breaths, making it seem like the person is struggling to breathe or even gasping for air.
This erratic pattern is a crucial indicator that something is seriously wrong, and it highlights the urgent need for medical help.
4. Weakness or Unresponsiveness
When someone is experiencing agonal breathing, they may show signs of extreme weakness or unresponsiveness. This means they might not react to sounds or touch, appearing dazed or completely unconscious.
The body’s struggle to breathe in this state often leads to a noticeable change in appearance, such as pale or bluish skin, especially around the lips and fingertips. This lack of responsiveness combined with the irregular, gasping breaths creates an “agonal rhythm,” which is a serious indicator of a life-threatening condition.
Recognizing these signs quickly is essential for getting help and ensuring the person receives the necessary medical attention.
5. Sudden Onset After Normal Breathing Stops
The sudden onset of agonal breathing typically follows a period of normal breathing, indicating a serious medical emergency. For instance, studies show that around 30% of people who experience a cardiac arrest may exhibit this type of breathing.
This transition from normal to gasping breaths can happen quickly, making it crucial for bystanders to recognize the change. If someone stops breathing normally and begins to gasp, it’s a clear sign that they are in distress and need immediate help.
Quick action, such as calling emergency services and starting CPR, can be vital in improving the person’s chances of survival.
Causes Behind Agonal Breathing Explained
Identifying the reasons behind agonal breathing can help you make the correct response in an emergency. Let’s examine that which results in this distressing condition so that the next time you can provide assistance to someone who requires it.
1. Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood, which means the body, including the brain, isn’t getting enough oxygen. This lack of blood flow can lead to the person collapsing and becoming unresponsive.
Agonal breathing often occurs in these situations as a reflex when the brain senses low oxygen levels. It’s important to act quickly, as brain damage can start within just a few minutes without oxygen.
Statistics show that about 74% of cardiac arrest cases occur at home, making it vital for bystanders to recognize agonal breathing and perform CPR immediately.
2. Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is either blocked or reduced causing damage to the brain. It is also possible that this disruption may affect the regions responsible for respiration, leading to a condition known as agonal breathing.
For instance, damage to the stem of the brain will induce gasping in patients when they find it difficult to breathe. The stem of the brain regulates the involuntary automatic functions as in respiration.
Gasping or agonal breathing is considered to be one of the signs indicating that immediate medical assistance is necessary.
It is possible to save lives if these symptoms can be noticed in patients at the earliest as brain tissues are frequently damaged and the chances of recovery are better if treatment is received in time.
3. Severe Head Trauma
Severe head trauma can happen from accidents, falls, or sports injuries. When the brain is injured, it can swell or bleed, which disrupts its ability to control breathing. This can lead to irregular, gasping breaths known as agonal breathing.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 69 million people worldwide suffer from traumatic brain injuries each year. These injuries can affect how the body functions, including breathing patterns.
Hence, recognizing agonal breathing in someone with head trauma is crucial, as it indicates a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
4. Drug Overdose
Overdoses can happen when someone takes too much of a drug, especially opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers. These drugs slow down the body’s normal functions, including breathing.
When a person overdoses, their brain may not send the right signals to breathe properly, leading to irregular, gasping breaths known as agonal breathing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 70,000 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses in 2021, highlighting the serious impact of substance misuse.
Therefore, recognizing agonal breathing in such cases is crucial for calling for help quickly.
5. Severe Respiratory Distress
Conditions like asthma attacks, pneumonia, or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can lead to difficulty in breathing. When the lungs can’t get enough oxygen into the bloodstream, the body may struggle to maintain normal breathing patterns.
In such cases, agonal breathing can occur as a reflex to try and increase oxygen intake. For example, during a severe asthma attack, the airways become narrowed, making it hard to breathe.
This can happen to nearly 5% of the population at some point in their lives, highlighting how common respiratory distress can be and the importance of recognizing its signs.
6. Hypoxia
Hypoxia is a condition where the body or a specific part of the body doesn’t get enough oxygen. This can happen for various reasons, such as lung diseases, high altitudes, or heart problems.
When the body is deprived of oxygen, it can lead to serious complications, including agonal breathing. In fact, studies show that around 50% of patients experiencing severe hypoxia may exhibit abnormal breathing patterns. This is a critical situation because the brain and organs need oxygen to function properly.
Recognizing the signs of hypoxia can help ensure timely medical assistance.
7. Drowning
Drowning occurs when a person is submerged in water and cannot breathe. This can happen in pools, lakes, or oceans. When someone is drowning, their body struggles for air, which can lead to agonal breathing as they gasp for oxygen.
For example, if a child falls into a pool and cannot keep their head above water, they might start to take irregular, gasping breaths while trying to breathe.
Identifying agonal breathing in such situations is crucial because it signals a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate help, such as calling for rescue and performing CPR.
8. Other Neurological Conditions
Neurological conditions can affect how the brain controls breathing. For example, diseases like advanced dementia or severe brain infections can disrupt the brain’s normal functions, including the ability to send signals to breathe properly.
As a result, a person may struggle to breathe, leading to irregular gasps or agonal breathing. This is a sign that the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen or is unable to regulate breathing effectively.
Recognizing these changes is essential, as it indicates a serious health issue that requires immediate medical attention to help the person breathe better and ensure their safety.
What to Do if Someone is Experiencing Agonal Breathing
It is not enough to only recognize agonal breathing, it is equally important to know what to do about it. Let us discuss how to act if you are in the middle of such a scenario and therefore should be able to respond quickly and effectively.
1. Call Emergency Services Immediately
If you see someone experiencing agonal breathing, the first thing to do is call emergency services right away. This is crucial for getting the help they need as quickly as possible.
- Dial emergency numbers (e.g., 911) in your area.
- Provide clear information about the situation.
- Stay on the line until help arrives.
Calling for help ensures that trained medical professionals are on the way. They can provide advanced care that may be essential for the person’s survival.
While waiting for them, focus on assessing the person’s condition and starting CPR if needed, as every second counts in an emergency.
2. Assess the Situation
Before taking action, it’s essential to assess the person’s condition. First, check if they are responsive by gently shaking their shoulders and asking if they’re okay.
For example, if you see someone collapse and start gasping for air, call their name and shake them lightly. Next, look for signs of normal breathing by observing their chest for movement or checking for a pulse.
If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, it’s time to call for help and start CPR.
3. Start CPR if Necessary
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, you need to start CPR right away. Here’s how to do it:
- Check Responsiveness: Tap the person and shout to see if they respond.
- Place Hands Correctly: Put one hand on the center of the chest and the other on top.
- Compress the Chest: Push down hard and fast, at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
- Add Rescue Breaths (if trained): After every 30 compressions, give 2 breaths.
Performing CPR can help keep blood flowing to the brain and vital organs until medical help arrives. It’s important to stay focused and maintain a steady rhythm during compressions. If you’re unsure about rescue breaths, just continue with chest compressions.
Remember, doing something is better than doing nothing, and your efforts can make a significant difference in saving a life.
4. Use an AED if Available
If there’s an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) nearby, grab it right away. Turn it on and follow the voice instructions.
AEDs are designed to be easy to use, even for those without training. They analyze the heart’s rhythm and will tell you if a shock is needed.
Quick use of an AED can improve survival rates by 50-70% in cardiac arrest cases. Having an AED available increases the chances of saving a life during emergencies.
5. Continue Until Help Arrives
Keep performing CPR and using the AED until emergency responders get there or the person starts to recover.
For example, if the person begins to breathe normally again or shows signs of waking up, stop CPR and monitor them closely. Make sure to keep talking to them if they regain consciousness, as it can help keep them calm until professional help arrives.
Your ongoing effort is crucial for their chances of survival, so don’t stop until help takes over.
Importance of Quick Action and Recognizing Agonal Breathing
Agonal breathing is a sign of extreme danger and should be taken seriously. More often than not patients are in a state of respiratory distress due to a medical emergency (heart attack, stroke, etc.) and need immediate attention.
In these critical moments, every second matters since the body goes through a high amount of vascular strain, so it’s essential that prompt measures are taken. For instance, if an onlooker sees a person faint followed by gasping, the person should contact emergency services for help and immediately try to assist.
With this type of emergency situation, the response can be taken in order to maintain blood flow to the brain and not the level of all organs until aid arrives.
Consider a scenario where a parent is playing with their child and suddenly collapses. If the child or a nearby adult notices that the parent is gasping but not breathing normally, they can take quick action by calling for help and starting CPR.
This timely intervention could be the difference between life and death, as it gives the person a better chance of recovery while waiting for emergency responders to arrive. Understanding how to recognize agonal breathing and act swiftly can truly save lives.
Take Action to Save a Life with Agonal Breathing Awareness
Agonal breathing is a sign of severe medical distress and patients may need immediate care. It is important to be able to identify agonal breathing, as this may save the patient’s life. In such situations, it’s important to act quickly, which includes calling for emergency help and implementing CPR.
Knowing that agonal breathing could be caused by events such as cardiac arrest, or stroke allows one to act appropriately. It is possible for anyone to save a life by being educated about this particular condition.
It is helpful to know the symptoms of agonal breathing, the cause, and the proper first aid so that one does not hesitate when time is of the essence. Your efforts and knowledge do indeed help.
