Cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death. When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby. According to the American Heart Association, about 90 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrests out of the hospital die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public. Hands-Only CPR has just two easy steps, performed in this order:
- Call 911 if you see someone suddenly collapse.
- Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute.