The Science of CPR: Understanding How It Can Save Lives During a Cardiac Arrest Emergency

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The Science of CPR Understanding How It Can Save
Lives During a Cardiac Arrest Emergency
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Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening condition
that can occur at any time and to anyone.
According to the American Heart Association
(AHA), over 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside
of hospitals every year in the United States,
with only about 10 of those affected survive.
Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
immediately during a cardiac arrest emergency is
one of the critical factors that can increase the
chances of survival. In this article, we will
explore the science of CPR and how it can save
lives during a cardiac arrest emergency, as well
as provide a link to another article on "CPR
Trained Bystanders What to Do During a Cardiac
Arrest Emergency."
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During a cardiac arrest, the heart is unable to
pump blood effectively, which can lead to a lack
of oxygen supply to vital organs, such as the
brain and heart. When the brain is deprived of
oxygen for more than four to six minutes, it can
result in irreversible brain damage, and death
may occur shortly after. Therefore, prompt and
efficient CPR is crucial to maintain blood flow
to vital organs, including the brain, and provide
oxygen and nutrients to prevent permanent brain
damage. CPR is a combination of chest
compressions and rescue breaths, which work
together to keep blood flowing to vital organs.
Chest compressions are the most critical
component of CPR because they create a force that
pushes blood through the heart and circulatory
system. When performed correctly, chest
compressions can help to maintain blood flow to
the vital organs, including the brain, until
advanced medical care can be provided.
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Rescue breaths are another important aspect of
CPR, as they help to deliver oxygen to the lungs
and maintain oxygen saturation in the blood. When
performing rescue breaths, it is essential to
create an airtight seal over the person's mouth
and nose and provide a breath of air that causes
their chest to rise. This process helps to fill
the lungs with air and provide oxygen to the
blood. In addition to maintaining blood flow and
delivering oxygen to vital organs, CPR can also
prevent permanent brain damage by delaying brain
cell death. CPR helps to preserve brain function
by preventing the buildup of carbon dioxide in
the blood, which can lead to brain cell death. By
performing CPR immediately, you can help to
prevent permanent brain damage and increase the
chances of survival for the person experiencing
cardiac arrest.
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• The science behind CPR is crucial to understand
  to appreciate its potential for saving lives
  during a cardiac arrest emergency. By performing
  chest compressions and rescue breaths, you can
  maintain blood flow to vital organs, provide
  oxygen to the lungs, and prevent permanent brain
  damage. If you witness someone experiencing a
  cardiac arrest emergency, remember that every
  second counts and prompt and efficient CPR can
  significantly increase the person's chances of
  survival.
• The AHA has recommended guidelines for CPR that
  are widely recognized and taught in CPR training
  courses. According to the AHA, the steps to
  perform CPR are
• Check for responsiveness Tap the person's
  shoulder and shout, "Are you okay?" to see if
  they respond.

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1. Call for help Call 911 or your local emergency
   number immediately and activate your emergency
   response plan if available.
2. Check breathing If the person is not responding
   and not breathing or not breathing normally, have
   someone call 911, and begin CPR immediately.
3. Perform chest compressions Place the heel of one
   hand on the center of the chest between the
   nipples and place the other hand on top of the
   first hand. Press down firmly and quickly,
   allowing the chest to rise between compressions.
4. Give rescue breaths Tilt the person's head back
   and lift their chin. Pinch their nose closed, and
   give two rescue breaths into their mouth. Watch
   for the chest to rise and fall.
5. Continue CPR Perform 30 chest compressions and
   two rescue breaths, repeating until the person
   starts breathing normally, or EMS arrives.

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Performing CPR can be physically demanding, and
it is essential to perform it correctly. The AHA
recommends taking a CPR course to learn the
proper technique and receive hands-on training.
CPR training courses are widely available and can
be taken in person or online. In addition to
learning how to perform CPR, it is also crucial
to know what to do during a cardiac arrest
emergency, particularly for bystanders who are
CPR trained. These individuals can significantly
improve their chances of survival during a
cardiac arrest emergency by performing CPR
immediately. Our article "CPR Trained
Bystanders What to Do During a Cardiac Arrest
Emergency" provides a comprehensive guide on what
to do during a cardiac arrest emergency,
including how to recognize the signs of cardiac
arrest, call for help, perform CPR, and use an
automated external defibrillator (AED).