Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentRole of CPREnd-of-Life Concerns
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Role of CPR
End-of-Life Concerns
This article will describe the causes, symptoms, and treatments for agonal breathing. Because this condition usually occurs when someone is near death, it will also discuss end-of-life concerns, palliative care, and support.
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Agonal Breathing Symptoms and Characteristics
Recognizing the symptoms of agonal breathing is important because it is a sign of a medical emergency.A timely intervention could save someone’s life, depending on why agonal breathing occurs.
The symptoms of agonal breathing include:
A Word From VerywellAgonal breathing is an emergency. Call for appropriate help immediately if you notice someone with agonal breathing.—SANJA JELIC, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Agonal breathing is an emergency. Call for appropriate help immediately if you notice someone with agonal breathing.—SANJA JELIC, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Agonal breathing is an emergency. Call for appropriate help immediately if you notice someone with agonal breathing.
—SANJA JELIC, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Emergency Steps If You Suspect Agonal Breathing
If you think someone is experiencing agonal breathing, seek help right away. Tell a healthcare provider what is happening if you are in a hospital or hospice setting. Outside of a healthcare setting, call 911 immediately.
Agonal Breathing Causes
Many conditions, including the following, can lead to agonal breathing due tolack of oxygen:
Agonal Breathing Treatment
If agonal breathing occurs during the onset of an unexpected health event, quick medical intervention can save a life. It can also happen during the last stages of aterminal illness. In this case, medical attention is only necessary for symptom relief.
Waiting for Help
If agonal breathing is occurring due to a sudden health event, such as a stroke or cardiac arrest, it’s essential to call 911 immediately. The brain is extremely sensitive to lack of oxygen, and it takes less than five minutes for cells to start dying when they are deprived of oxygen.
Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until an emergency medical team arrives.
At the Hospital
If someone you’re visiting in a hospital experiences agonal breathing, get a healthcare provider immediately. Swift action is necessary in the case of cardiac arrest or stroke.
In terminally ill people, agonal breathing is a sign of approaching death. Healthcare providers will decide how best to manage the situation.
Role of CPR Familiarity
CPR is a method for helpingkeep blood flowmoving in the body when an event stops it, or someone stops breathing for any reason. This temporary measure keeps blood and oxygen flowing until emergency medical help arrives.
Administering proper CPR as soon as possible can help save someone’s life and prevent brain damage.
Agonal Breathing and End-of-Life Concerns
When associated with approaching death due to a terminal illness, agonal breathing is normal. However, it can be distressing to witness a loved one gasping for breath and wonder if they are suffering.
While it is disturbing to observe, researchers have concluded that people experiencing agonal breathing are unconscious and, therefore, do not feel pain or discomfort.
Agonal Breathing vs. Death RattleSometimes, the terms “agonal breathing” and “death rattle” are used interchangeably. But they are different conditions and happen under different situations.A death rattle happens days or hours before death and is heard when saliva pools in the back of the throat due to relaxed throat muscles. Agonal breathing is a natural reflex that happens when your body is not getting enough oxygen.
Agonal Breathing vs. Death Rattle
Sometimes, the terms “agonal breathing” and “death rattle” are used interchangeably. But they are different conditions and happen under different situations.A death rattle happens days or hours before death and is heard when saliva pools in the back of the throat due to relaxed throat muscles. Agonal breathing is a natural reflex that happens when your body is not getting enough oxygen.
Sometimes, the terms “agonal breathing” and “death rattle” are used interchangeably. But they are different conditions and happen under different situations.
A death rattle happens days or hours before death and is heard when saliva pools in the back of the throat due to relaxed throat muscles. Agonal breathing is a natural reflex that happens when your body is not getting enough oxygen.
Support and Palliative Care for Individuals and Families
Palliative medicineis the delivery of care to people who have a terminal illness. The goal of treatment is to provide peace and comfort. This may include:
Services a Death Doula Provides
Summary
Agonal breathing is the body’s last attempt to stay alive. Treatment for agonal breathing must happen as soon as possible to prevent death or brain damage from loss of oxygen. If you witness agonal breathing, start CPR and call 911 immediately.
Agonal breathing also occurs at the end of life and is a natural part of the dying process. During this time, a person may be receiving palliative treatment to ensure they pass as comfortably as possible.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National CPR Foundation.Agonal breathing: what is it? what should I do?MedlinePlus.Cerebral hypoxia.Sarver Heart Center.Gasping is a sign of cardiac arrest.U.S. Centers for Disease Control.About stroke.MedlinePlus.Pulmonary embolism.Hospice Foundation of America.Signs of approaching death.MedlinePlus.Sudden cardiac arrest.MedlinePlus.CPR.Red Cross.What is CPR?Daubin C, Haddad L, Folscheid D, et al.Ethical reflections on end-of-life signs and symptoms in the intensive care setting: a place for neuromuscular blockers?Ann Intensive Care. 2014;4:17. doi:10.1186/2110-5820-4-17MedlinePlus.Palliative care - what the final days are like.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National CPR Foundation.Agonal breathing: what is it? what should I do?MedlinePlus.Cerebral hypoxia.Sarver Heart Center.Gasping is a sign of cardiac arrest.U.S. Centers for Disease Control.About stroke.MedlinePlus.Pulmonary embolism.Hospice Foundation of America.Signs of approaching death.MedlinePlus.Sudden cardiac arrest.MedlinePlus.CPR.Red Cross.What is CPR?Daubin C, Haddad L, Folscheid D, et al.Ethical reflections on end-of-life signs and symptoms in the intensive care setting: a place for neuromuscular blockers?Ann Intensive Care. 2014;4:17. doi:10.1186/2110-5820-4-17MedlinePlus.Palliative care - what the final days are like.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National CPR Foundation.Agonal breathing: what is it? what should I do?MedlinePlus.Cerebral hypoxia.Sarver Heart Center.Gasping is a sign of cardiac arrest.U.S. Centers for Disease Control.About stroke.MedlinePlus.Pulmonary embolism.Hospice Foundation of America.Signs of approaching death.MedlinePlus.Sudden cardiac arrest.MedlinePlus.CPR.Red Cross.What is CPR?Daubin C, Haddad L, Folscheid D, et al.Ethical reflections on end-of-life signs and symptoms in the intensive care setting: a place for neuromuscular blockers?Ann Intensive Care. 2014;4:17. doi:10.1186/2110-5820-4-17MedlinePlus.Palliative care - what the final days are like.
National CPR Foundation.Agonal breathing: what is it? what should I do?
MedlinePlus.Cerebral hypoxia.
Sarver Heart Center.Gasping is a sign of cardiac arrest.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control.About stroke.
MedlinePlus.Pulmonary embolism.
Hospice Foundation of America.Signs of approaching death.
MedlinePlus.Sudden cardiac arrest.
MedlinePlus.CPR.
Red Cross.What is CPR?
Daubin C, Haddad L, Folscheid D, et al.Ethical reflections on end-of-life signs and symptoms in the intensive care setting: a place for neuromuscular blockers?Ann Intensive Care. 2014;4:17. doi:10.1186/2110-5820-4-17
MedlinePlus.Palliative care - what the final days are like.
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