Breathing - slowed or stopped

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Respiration slowed or stopped; Not breathing; Respiratory arrest; Apnea

If a person has stopped breathing, call for emergency help and perform CPR   (if you know how).

CPR or other emergency measures will be done in an emergency room or by an ambulance EMT (emergency medical technician).

Once the patient is stable, the doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions about the person's medical history. Questions may include:

• Time pattern
  • Has this ever happened before?
  • How long did the event last?
  • Has the person had repeated, brief episodes of apnea?
  • Did the episode end with a sudden deep snorting breath?
  • Did the episode occur while awake or asleep?
• Recent heath history
  • Has there been any recent history of an accident or injury?
  • Has the person been ill recently?
  • Had there been any breathing difficulty before the breathing stopped?
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • What medication does the person take?
  • Does the person use street drugs?

The doctor will listen to the person's  heart sounds and breath sounds. Diagnostic tests may be performed. They include:

• Chest x-ray
• ECG
• Arterial blood gas

Review Date: 03/21/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.