What does CPR stand for? Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. What is CPR? It is Breathing into your mouth, pressing on your chest. It may include electrical shock, drugs to start your heart and a tube to help your breathe.
Does CPR work? It doesn’t help as much as most of us think. CPR works best if there are no illnesses and you are healthy.
CPR Works best if started within a few minutes of when the heart or lungs have stopped working. It does not work as well if you have chronic health problems, have an illness that can no longer be treated, or if you are weak and older.
If you are in the hospital, you have a 22% chance of CPR survival. If you are in a nursing home or live alone, you have less than 3% chance of survival.
What can happen when CPR is done? Lungs are weakened and you will need a breathing machine, be placed in ICU, may have brain damage or damage to your ribs.
Always let your physician and family know about your resuscitation wishes. Contact Social Services or our nursing staff, if you wish to change your code status.