Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, is considered to be one of the most effective cardiopulmonary procedures. This procedure is essential when a human’s heart is no longer pumping, which causes a heart attack. Even if you are not a doctor, you can give CPR to someone to give them the best chance to survive. Having knowledge about what CPR is and the process of CPR allows you to expect the worst and act calmly in a worst-case scenario.
What is CPR?
CPR is a technique used to help revive an individual who has died due to changes in their heart rhythm. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart loses its ability to pump blood and deprives the body of oxygen. CPR maintain fresh blood flow, and oxygen to vital organs until help arrives. This also involves thoracic compressions and rescue breathing in heart attack treatment.
Why is CPR Important?
CPR can increase the chances of survival by two or threefold if offered immediately after heart failure. Cardiac arrests may sometimes occur in situations away from a health facility and in this case, early response is necessary. About 60% of people do not get immediate CPR, which makes it crucial to know it. The survival rate of patients who receive CPR on time is very high.
The Procedure of CPR
CPR is a simple procedure. There are some simple steps to follow and anyone can learn it. This procedure is normally referred to by CAB – Chest Compressions, Airway, Breathing. Below are the detailed CPR steps:
Step 1: Assess the Situation
Before performing CPR make sure that the person is unresponsive. Follow these steps:
- Ask the person politely and try to shake the person gently to make sure whether the person is all right or not.
- If there is no answer, dial the emergency number to get assistance.
- Look around to make sure the scene is secure.
Step 2: Start Chest Compressions
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, begin chest compressions:
- Put the heel of your right hand in the middle of a person’s chest, just below the nipples.
- Place the other hand on top and entwine your fingers with each other.
- Apply pressure of at least 2 inches, giving 100-120 compressions in a minute. This pace can be matched to the tunes of “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees.
- Make sure that the chest rises fully between compressions.
Note: In children less than eight years, use one hand and for newborns, use two fingers.
Step 3: Open the Airway
Once you’ve completed 30 compressions, check the person’s airway:
- Put their head back a bit and lift their chin.
- Check and if you find anything in the mouth of a patient, take it out if possible.
Step 4: Provide Rescue Breaths
Now, give two rescue breaths:
- Pinch the person’s nose and place your mouth over their mouth.
- Breathe in and then blow the oxygen slowly into their mouth. Every breath should last a second and make the chest rise to the top.
- Repeat 30 compressions followed by two rescue breaths until help comes or the patient responds.
Hands-Only CPR
If you are unprofessional or not confident in delivering rescue breaths, you can perform hand-only CPR. This type involves chest compressions but not rescue breaths. It is useful for blowing oxygen across the body until the paramedics arrive. It is much better than doing nothing.
What Happens After CPR?
First responders will then take over from CPR and take the individual to either a heart hospital in Delhi or another suitable nearby medical facility. Doctors in the field will check for any other harm that the lungs or any other part of the body has suffered due to shortages of oxygen and proceed to administrate the heart attack cure. It can take several weeks to even months to get well after suffering from cardiac arrest.
Conclusion
CPR is a technique that can be done by anyone to save a life in an emergency. If you know what CPR is and how CPR is done, you will be better placed to respond appropriately in case of a heart-related incident. Just a reminder, is to do CPR as soon as possible after a cardiac arrest, it doubles the chances of survival. But proper care after CPR is important too. Kalra Hospital offers comprehensive heart treatment. They house some of the best doctors and offer specialized care. If you are looking for the best heart hospital in Delhi, Karla Hospital will be the best option for you.
