What does respiratory arrest indicate?

Respiratory arrest signifies a complete halt in breathing, meaning that the individual is not taking in any air at all. This condition can occur due to various reasons, such as an obstruction of the airway, respiratory muscle failure, or central nervous system failure affecting the brain's ability to initiate breathing.

When respiratory arrest occurs, the body's oxygen levels rapidly decline, leading to potential hypoxia, which can cause serious harm to vital organs. Unlike increased work of breathing, which indicates difficulty in breathing but still involves some air movement, respiratory arrest indicates a total cessation of this vital function. While a reduction in oxygen intake is a consequence of respiratory arrest, the core definition of the term is the total lack of respiratory effort, making the identification of this state critical in emergency situations.