Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
الإنعاش القلبي الرئوي
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is first aid for cardiac arrest, not a disease. If an adult collapses, is unresponsive and is not breathing normally or only gasping, call emergency services, start chest compressions and use an available AED.
What is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation?
Compressions maintain circulation to the brain and heart until help arrives. Cardiac arrest differs from a heart attack, although a heart attack can cause arrest. This guidance focuses on adults; children and drowning require particular attention to rescue breaths and training.
Related reading: Intracerebral hemorrhage and emergency signs.
Symptoms
Key signs are unresponsiveness and absence of normal breathing. Intermittent gasps are not normal breathing, and seizure-like movements may accompany collapse. Check response and breathing promptly; untrained rescuers should not waste time searching for a pulse.
Causes
Arrest may follow a dangerous arrhythmia, heart attack, oxygen deprivation or other causes addressed by professionals. Do not delay compressions while investigating the cause or attempt to give advanced resuscitation drugs yourself.
Risk factors
Coronary disease, cardiomyopathy and rhythm disorders contribute to some arrests, but arrest can occur without a previous diagnosis. Age or appearance should not rule out resuscitation when arrest signs are present.
Diagnosis
Check scene safety, call to the person and tap their shoulders, and assess breathing quickly. Call emergency services on speakerphone and ask someone to bring an AED. Follow dispatcher instructions. The device analyzes rhythm and recommends a shock only when appropriate.
Treatment
For an unresponsive adult not breathing normally, compress the center of the chest 100–120 times per minute, about 5–6 cm deep, allowing full recoil and minimizing pauses. Trained, able rescuers add two breaths after every 30 compressions; untrained rescuers begin continuous compressions. Turn on the AED, follow prompts and keep everyone clear during analysis or shock, then immediately resume compressions.
Complications
Rib injuries can occur during CPR, but delaying compressions in cardiac arrest is more dangerous. Survivors may need intensive care, investigation, rehabilitation and emotional support. Early resuscitation improves the chance of survival without guaranteeing it.
Prevention
Hands-on training, skill refreshers and accessible AEDs improve preparedness. Treating heart disease lowers some risks but cannot prevent every arrest. Do not delay the emergency call while searching for a distant device.
When to see a doctor
Cardiac arrest requires immediate emergency action, not a routine appointment. Continue as directed until professionals take over, normal breathing returns, or continuation becomes impossible or unsafe. If normal breathing returns, monitor the person and follow dispatcher guidance.