CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a way to give oxygen and to keep the blood flowing when the heart stops beating. It is an emergency procedure that can save lives.
When is it used?
CPR may be used when someone is not breathing or when their heart is not beating. For example, the heart or breathing may stop because of:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- A very bad head or back injury
- Choking on something
- Drowning
- Severe infection
- A severe electrical shock
- An abnormal heart rhythm
- Severe allergic reaction
When this happens, someone should call 911 and the person should be given CPR until he or she starts moving or emergency medical help arrives. If CPR is not done, the person could have brain damage or die in 5 to 10 minutes.
What happens during CPR?
CPR is done by pushing on the person’s chest to keep the blood flowing and blowing air into their lungs to give them some oxygen.
How can I learn CPR?
You can take a class to learn how to give CPR. In classes for adult CPR, information is provided on the signs and symptoms of a stroke or heart attack as well as ways to reduce the risk of developing these problems. Classes are also available for infant and child CPR. It is important that a special class be taken for giving CPR to children because the procedures are different. Some classes combine the training for both adult CPR and infant and child CPR.
CPR classes are open to the public and are held in hospitals, fire departments, and community centers. For information on classes for CPR and other life-saving skills, contact:
- American Heart Association
1-800-242-8721
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/Find-a-CPR-Class_UCM_303220_SubHomePage.jsp - American Red Cross
1-800 RED CROSS (1 800 733 2767)
http://www.redcross.org/en/takeaclass
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): References
Hazinski MF, Nolan JP, Billi JE, et al. (2010). Part 1: Executive summary: 2010 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation; 122(16 Suppl 2):S250-275.
Nadkarni VM, Nolan JP, Billi JE, et al. (2010). Part 2: International collaboration in resuscitation science: 2010 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations. Circulation;122(16 Suppl 2):S276-282.
American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care 2005. Part 3: Defibrillation. Circulation 2005; 112:3.
Herlitz, J, Bång, A, Alsén, B, Aune, S. Characteristics and outcome among patients suffering from in hospital cardiac arrest in relation to the interval between collapse and start of CPR. Resuscitation 2002; 53:21.
John M. Field, et al. “Part 1: Executive Summary: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care — Field Et Al. 122 (183): S640.” Circulation. Web. Accessed 11/09/2010. <http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/122/18_suppl_3/S640>.
Highlights of the 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://static.heart.org/eccguidelines/pdf/ucm_317350.pdf>.
Sayre, MR, Berg, RA, Cave, DM, et al. Hands-only (compression-only) cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a call to action for bystander response to adults who experience out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest: a science advisory for the public from the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee. Circulation 2008; 117:2162.
Waalewijn, RA, Tijssen, JG, Koster, RW. Bystander initiated actions in out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation: results from the Amsterdam Resuscitation Study (ARRESUST). Resuscitation 2001; 50:273.