What is Agonal Breathing?

Agonal breathing, shallow and ineffective breathing often heard as gasping or snoring, is common in victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Agonal breathing should not be confused with normal breathing and cardiac arrest victims need CPR and treatment from an AED immediately.
Dr. Gerry Bourne, Cardiologist, explains what agonal breathing is.
#AviveAED #AutomatedExternalDefibrillator #SuddenCardiacArrest #aed #agonalbreathing #cpr

[@jodieclark]

My Dad was in bed. When Mum went to bed she noticed he was breathing funny and tried to wake him. He didn’t respond. When we called the ambulance they said to start CPR which my brother did and continued to do until the paramedics arrived. We didn’t understand and kept saying to the dispatcher that he was breathing. She just said keep going, I think he is in cardiac arrest. The paramedics worked hard on him and got his heart started again. Sadly he never woke up and passed away a week later. We have since been told that he had probably already passed when we found him because agonal breathing can continue after death. Thanks for this information, I wish I knew before Dad’s death. I feel it should be more publicised.

[@avivesolutions]

We are so sorry for your loss! Cardiac emergencies can often be very complicated, so we completely agree that this information should be more commonly publicized and we are on a mission to do that!

[@CDN1975]

So sorry for your loss.

[@thereseember2800]

Agonal breathing doesn’t occur after death. It occurs when the brain is still alive, yet is not receiving adequate oxygenation in order to sustain life.

[@jessymfwilson]

I am so sorry for your loss but proud of your brother for doing CPR. It’s incredibly difficult to perform especially on someone you love.

[@Cotati1956]

Thank you for the clear explanation of agonal breathing and why it is important to recognize it and begin CPR immediately.

[@avivesolutions]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jessymfwilson]

My Dad had cardiac arrest in front of me and went right in to agonal breathing. Luckily I have been trained and unfortunately done CPR many times. I called 911 and told them I was already doing CPR. I didn’t stop until I heard him scream and he came to. I was beyond words shocked. I know the survival rate is so low. By some absolute grace of god he came back and only has mild cognitive decline. Doctors were absolutely stunned and to this date every new doctor that reads his file calls him a miracle and tells me how amazing I am. It’s still tough day to day but CPR really does save lives. I encourage everyone to learn.

[@avivesolutions]

That is absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your save story with us. Stories like yours are what motivates our team! We agree with you that everyone should learn CPR and know where the closest AED is at all times. You just never know when Sudden Cardiac Arrest will strike. We wish you and your Dad both the very best.

[@matokrajniak1901]

I thought my dad was snoring after lunch .... I went in jokingly saying that it didn't take long for him to fall asleep after food. When I entered the room and saw him layed back, eyes open dread came over me. I yelled for mum and ran to get my phone and called emergency services. I checked his breathing, checked for the pulse, didn't feel either. My mom tried to wake him up and we put him on the floor and I started CPR, heart massages with mouth to mouth with the person on the phone instructing me. It didn't help, they couldn't bring him back. I still blame myself that I must have done something wrong. I was joking about him snoring .... but he was dying ... and I couldn't save him.

[@avivesolutions]

We are so sorry for your loss! We commend you for taking action and starting CPR once you realized that your father was in cardiac arrest. Agonal breathing is still not widely known about, unfortunately. We do hope to change that! Thank you for sharing your story to help others.

[@HarpreetSingh-eq4dl]

Don't blame yourself because once you realised you started CPR. So never blame yourself. I also once ignored Agonal breathing and took it casually. When I realised there no response then I started CPR but till that time she is gone.

[@BrendaLee381]

Sorry to hear, but, if this helps any,,,, he didn't suffer like most do, with a prolonged agonizing death, as in a terminal illness, or lung disease, etc.

[@emperorpalpatine6080]

don't blame yourself . There will be enough things to blame yourself for in your life , to add something for which you had no control whatsoever. It's not your fault

[@montanabnana8538]

it’s okay something similar happened to be in 2019. my dad had a stroke and i thought he was asleep. i still blame myself. you are not alone and you are not evil ❤️

[@averysgranny]

My husband collapsed recently, I heard him fall when I got to him he was unresponsive and was gasping a terrible noise he did that a couple of times and stopped totally, I was sure he was dead, I was on the line with 911, and he all the sudden opened his eyes, The paramedics came he was sopping wet and grey, but he checked out according to what they could tell and he did not want to go to the hospital. He was weak a couple days, he has done this a few times and it always just called a fainting spell, but I had never seen it happen, is that gasping terrifying noise common in fainting or do I have reason to be more concerned after witnessing the spell, it was worse than the agonal breathing I witnessed when my grandmother passed away.

[@syedabood6892]

You should be very concerned, have him evaluated for a cardiac issue. Possible sick sinus syndrome or sinus arresting

[@thereseember2800]

The terrible gasping noise is agonal breathing. It means that his brain is still alive, but that he’s not receiving sufficient oxygen in order to sustain life. It’s a critical state & he needs emergent care. Even during a Code Blue, there are patients who scream out during defibrillation & want to cancel being cared for, but they still need critical care. Laws should be changed to bypass critical patients because they’re not able to make safe, sound decisions at that crucial time.