Will CPR restart a stopped heart, or does it keep circulation going until defibr!


Question: C= cardio -to do with the heart
P= pulmonary -to do with respiratory/lungs
R= resurcitation
CPR can restart the heart and keep the circulation going. The defibrillator is often used because the cause of the stoppage is often an abnormal heart rhythm which cannot be easily corrected with out an external electric shock. In the past, the teaching was to give the chest a thump as such can shock it back into normal rhythm.


Answers: C= cardio -to do with the heart
P= pulmonary -to do with respiratory/lungs
R= resurcitation
CPR can restart the heart and keep the circulation going. The defibrillator is often used because the cause of the stoppage is often an abnormal heart rhythm which cannot be easily corrected with out an external electric shock. In the past, the teaching was to give the chest a thump as such can shock it back into normal rhythm.

cpr is used to start the heart yes. but it doesnt always work. why are you asking this???

CPR will generally not re-start the heart.

CPR is designed to oxygenate the blood(via mouth-to-mouth or bag-to-mouth resuscitation) and circulate the blood(via external chest compressions) to vital organs, particularly the brain and the heart itself.

Sometimes the heart will spontaneously restart with CPR alone, but more often than not advanced treatment is required.

This advanced treatment consists of defibrillation(if in an appropriate 'shackable' rhythm) and drug administation(adrenaline, atropine, amiodarone, sodium bicarbonate etc) where indicated.

I am SOOO glad you asked this question!! It is a common misconception with the public that CPR actually restarts the heart. IT DOESN'T. You are right though. All CPR is supposed to do is keep enough oxygenated blood circulating to keep the brain and vital organs alive until professional help arrives. When EMS arrives they will likely give medication in an IV line, Intubate the patient (Tube down patients throat), place them on a cardiac monitor, and possibly defibrillate the patient. Great question, thank you for asking it!

CPR keeps the brain supplied with oxygen. Without oxygen, the brain only lives for about 10 minutes, so this is a critical job- especially if 911 response is more than a few minutes away!

Unlike TV, CPR rarely (really close to never) restarts the heart, but AEDs can and do!





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