Cheyne-Stokes respirations are a form of periodic breathing. Typically, over a period of 1 minute, a 10-20 second episode of apnea or hypopnea is observed followed by respirations of increasing depth and frequency. The cycle then repeats itself. Despite periods of apnea, significant hypoxia rarely occurs.

Cheyne-Stokes respirations are not unique to congestive heart failure although they are perhaps more common in older patients with CHF.