CPR Information

CPR Overview

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a medical intervention performed on someone whose heart has stopped beating—cardiac arrest—or who has stopped breathing—respiratory arrest. CPR includes:

• Forceful chest compressions;
• Breathing into your mouth;
• And/or the placement of a tube in your throat to assist with breathing.

It can also include:

• Electrical shocks; and
• The use of medications to attempt to get your heart to start beating and lungs to start working again.

Does CPR Work?

Yes and no. CPR works best if:

• You are young and otherwise healthy.
• It can be given to you within a few minutes of when your heart or lungs stop working.

However, CPR is not successful as often as most people think, especially when someone is sick or elderly.

Risk of Brain Damage after Cardiac Arrest

If CPR is initiated within:

• 0–4 minutes: unlikely to develop brain damage
• 4–6 minutes: possibility of brain damage
• 6–10 minutes: high probability of brain damage
• 10+ minutes: probable brain damage

When does CPR NOT Work Well?

There are times in which CPR is not likely to work and increases a person’s suffering. These include:

• People with chronic health problems—advanced cancer, heart, liver, or lung disease.
• People who have an illness that can no longer be treated.
• People who are older and in a weakened condition.

Potential side-effects

If CPR does manage to get your heart and lungs to work again, there are usually side effects:

• Your lungs could be weakened and you may need to be on a ventilator to help you breathe.
• You could sustain broken ribs.
• As discussed before, you could sustain brain damage from lack of oxygen.
• You may need to be cared for in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

If you have any further questions or concerns, please speak with your provider.