Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure that can help save a person’s life if their breathing or heart stops.
When a person’s heart stops beating, they are in cardiac arrest. During cardiac arrest, the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body, including the brain and lungs. Death can happen in minutes without treatment.1 CPR uses chest compressions to mimic how the heart pumps. These compressions help keep blood flowing throughout the body.
Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. A person having a heart attack is still talking and breathing. This person does not need CPR—but they do need to get to the hospital right away. Heart attack increases the risk for going into cardiac arrest.
Using the CPR steps on someone who is not breathing can help keep them alive until the emergency services arrive.
CPR works by keeping a person’s blood flowing until healthcare professionals can help them. People without first aid training can still save a life by using the CPR steps.
When a person initiates CPR immediately after someone’s heart stops beating, CPR can double or even triple the chances of them surviving.