A stopping of the pulse because of pathological changes that are caused by a lack of oxygen when breathing air, resulting in hypoxia and hypercapnia: "Asphyxia is a condition in which there is an extreme decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the body that is accompanied by an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide and can result in a loss of consciousness or even death."

"Asphyxia can be result from choking, drowning, electric shock, injury, or the breathing in of non-toxic (or toxic) gases."

A form of asphyxia neonatorum (respiratory failure in a newborn) in which the skin is cyanotic (bluish discoloration), but the heart is strong and the reflexes are preserved.