Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Cpr

Overview

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is an emergency procedure used when someone’s heart stops beating or they stop breathing. It involves pushing on the chest and giving rescue breaths to keep blood and oxygen flowing to the brain and other organs until emergency help arrives.

CPR is a common life-saving skill. Many people learn it in first aid courses, and it is used in emergencies where someone has collapsed and is not breathing normally.

CPR is used on people of all ages who are in cardiac arrest. The technique may be adapted for children and infants. You don’t need to be a healthcare professional to perform CPR.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Unresponsive (no response when you tap and shout)
• Not breathing or only gasping (agonal breathing)
• No pulse — though untrained bystanders shouldn't spend time checking

Symptoms in children

• Unresponsive and not breathing normally
• Gasping may be present but is not effective breathing
• Usually caused by a breathing emergency, such as drowning or choking

Symptoms in older adults

• Often caused by a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest
• May be unresponsive and not breathing after collapsing
• Older adults may have fragile ribs, but CPR is still vital

Causes

Main causes

• Cardiac arrest (heart stops beating suddenly)
• Heart attack complications
• Severe breathing problems, including choking or drowning
• Trauma, electrocution, or drug overdose

Risk factors

• Heart disease
• Previous heart attack or cardiac arrest
• Certain inherited heart conditions
• Substance misuse

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you witness someone collapse and they are not breathing, call emergency services immediately — do not wait to see a doctor

Book a routine appointment if:

• If someone has chest pain, palpitations, fainting, or a family history of heart conditions, see a GP to assess their own risk

Diagnosis

CPR is not a diagnosis. It is an action taken in an emergency. Emergency services and doctors will assess the person after CPR to find the cause of the cardiac arrest.

Tests that may be done

• The emergency team will use an ECG (electrocardiogram) to check electrical activity of the heart
• Blood tests can look for evidence of heart damage or other causes
• Imaging such as a chest X-ray may be done after the person is stable

What to expect at your appointment

During CPR, emergency services will talk to you and give instructions. After the person arrives at hospital, doctors will look for the cause and continue treatment in an intensive care or coronary care unit.

Treatment

Treatment for cardiac arrest starts with immediate CPR and calling emergency services. After the person is revived, doctors treat the underlying cause, which may involve medications, procedures, or surgery.

Self-care at home

• Take a certified CPR and first aid course to learn practical skills
• Learn how to use an AED (defibrillator)
• Practise CPR on mannequins to keep your skills fresh
• Keep emergency numbers visible in your home

Medical treatments

After cardiac arrest, emergency responders may use a defibrillator to shock the heart back into rhythm. In hospital, doctors use some medications to support blood pressure and heart rhythm, while providing oxygen and fluids. Treatment depends on the cause, such as treating a blocked heart artery or correcting an electrolyte imbalance.

When is surgery considered?

In some cases, surgery may be needed after a cardiac arrest — for example, to insert a pacemaker or an implantable defibrillator, or to bypass a blocked coronary artery. This is decided by specialists based on the cause.

Living with this condition

If you survive a cardiac arrest, recovery is gradual. You will have follow-up appointments with a heart specialist, and you may need cardiac rehabilitation — an organised programme of exercise and education.

Lifestyle tips

• Take prescribed heart medications exactly as directed
• Attend all follow-up appointments
• Join a cardiac rehabilitation programme if offered
• Ask your doctor about what activities are safe for you

Diet and exercise

Once your doctor says you can, a heart-healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and limited salt and saturated fat will support your recovery. A structured cardiac rehabilitation plan will guide you on gradually increasing exercise in a safe way.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Surviving a cardiac arrest can be emotionally difficult. Anxiety, depression, and memory problems are not uncommon. These feelings are valid, and you should talk to your healthcare team. If you feel in crisis, reach out to your local mental health crisis team or a national helpline — you don't have to cope alone.

Prevention

Cardiac arrest can sometimes be prevented by managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. Knowing CPR and using an AED early greatly improves survival.

Vaccines

Some infections can affect the heart, so staying up to date with recommended vaccines, like flu vaccine, is sensible — but this does not directly prevent cardiac arrest.

Screening programmes

If you have a family history of heart disease or cardiac arrest, your doctor may suggest tests to check your heart's health. These may include ECG and echocardiogram. Screening for the general public is not routine.

Complications

If left untreated

• Without CPR, permanent brain damage can occur within a few minutes
• Death can happen quickly if the heart isn't restarted
• Even with CPR, some people do not survive, but early CPR greatly increases the chance

Long-term outlook

CPR is one of the most important things you can do in an emergency. It gives someone a much better chance of staying alive until professional help arrives. Even if you have never done it before, you can make a difference by acting quickly.

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