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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Slow Breathing After A Brain Injury?

my husband: had a bicycle accident resulting in a brain bleed; since then, his brain has healed (this was 2 years ago) but his heart rate has gotten even slower and his breathing is alarmingly heavy. He saw a cardiologist who inserted a monitor after a diagnosis of sluggish heart. So far, the monitor has showed very little. His heart rate is below 60 in general. He can sit quietly or lay down and we don t hear him breathe. But the smallest of movements and his breathing elevates and you can hear him two floors away. The cardiologist says he is stumped; the neurologist is stumped; and the internist can t figure anything out. The blood work all seems ok. My husband can go for a run and it takes him a long time - like 15-30 minutes, to get into a regular breathing pattern again. He does not wheeze and says he feels fine. I am extremely concerned as I know it is just not right. What kind of doctor should we see?
posted on Sat, 3 Dec 2016
Twitter Sat, 21 Jan 2017 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 24 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello Dear. Since the respiratory centers are there in the brain there may be some damage to the respiratory centers which may cause slow breathing. Slow breathing immediately after brain injury should be a matter of concern, which can suggest excessive bleeding. But in your husbands case its already 2 years now and his body might have well adapted to the condition.

If the neurologists have done tests like CT Scan and MRI and have told you that there is not much of life threatening internal damage then you need not worry. Your husband might have physiologically adapted to the condition.

Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini
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What Causes Slow Breathing After A Brain Injury?

Hello Dear. Since the respiratory centers are there in the brain there may be some damage to the respiratory centers which may cause slow breathing. Slow breathing immediately after brain injury should be a matter of concern, which can suggest excessive bleeding. But in your husbands case its already 2 years now and his body might have well adapted to the condition. If the neurologists have done tests like CT Scan and MRI and have told you that there is not much of life threatening internal damage then you need not worry. Your husband might have physiologically adapted to the condition. Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini