Normal Respiratory Rate During Sleep in Adults
A respiratory rate of 14.5 to 18.5 breaths per minute while sleeping is within the normal range for adults. This falls comfortably within the physiological parameters observed in healthy sleeping adults and does not warrant concern.
Evidence-Based Normal Range
The most direct evidence comes from a study of healthy adults without obstructive sleep apnea, which found that the mean respiratory rate during sleep was 17 ± 2 breaths per minute during both NREM and REM sleep 1. Your observed range of 14.5-18.5 bpm aligns perfectly with this established normal distribution (mean 17, which would encompass approximately 15-19 bpm within one standard deviation).
Physiological Context During Sleep
Respiratory rate varies predictably with sleep stage depth 2:
- Respiratory rate is highest during wakefulness compared to any sleep stage 2
- Rate decreases progressively with deeper sleep stages, being lowest during N3 (deep sleep) 2
- REM sleep shows intermediate rates between light and deep sleep 2
This means your observed range likely reflects normal transitions between different sleep stages throughout the night, with the lower end (14.5 bpm) occurring during deeper sleep and the higher end (18.5 bpm) during lighter sleep stages or brief arousals.
Clinical Significance
Your respiratory rate does not approach any threshold requiring clinical attention 1. The ICU guideline for critically ill patients defines concerning respiratory rates as those below 5 or above 40 breaths per minute 1, and your values are nowhere near these extremes.
There is no indication for sleep apnea evaluation based solely on this respiratory rate 1. The diagnostic criteria for obstructive sleep apnea rely on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), not on baseline respiratory rate 3. Normal respiratory rate during sleep does not exclude or suggest OSA.
Important Caveats
- Body position during sleep does not significantly affect respiratory rate variability 2, so whether you sleep supine or on your side should not materially change these values
- Respiratory rate naturally shows some variability (RRV) during sleep, which is actually a sign of healthy respiratory control 2
- The observed range suggests normal sleep architecture with transitions between sleep stages, as respiratory rate variability correlates with sleep depth 2
No further evaluation or intervention is needed based on these respiratory rate values alone.