CPR is brutal on seniors
An important end-of-life consideration for seniors is whether or not they would want to have CPR if their heart stops beating or if they stop breathing.
What we usually see on TV paints a rosy picture of CPR and leads many of us to think everyone would want it. After all, the CPR shown on TV is quick, painless, and almost always works.
In real life, the CPR process is brutal and survival rates are low.
Before making a choice about CPR, it’s essential for seniors to know the risks, benefits, and their chance of recovery.
We explain how CPR works, special risks for older adults, the chances of survival, and post-CPR quality of life.
How CPR really works
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is used as a treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. It’s much more violent than what’s shown on popular TV shows.
Real-life CPR means pushing down into the chest at least 2 inches deep and at least 100 times per minute.
Sometimes, air is forced into the lungs. Then, an electric shock is sent to the heart to try to get it to beat again.
If CPR is successful, all that pounding on the body usually results in major physical trauma.
This trauma often includes broken ribs, lung bruising, damage to the airway and internal organs, and internal bleeding.
CPR risks for seniors
Along with the physical trauma, patients who receive CPR also have to deal with serious long-term consequences like possible brain damage from oxygen deprivation.
First, older bodies are physically weaker and less likely to recover from the CPR itself.
On top of that…
This article was sourced from Daily Caring.
TRUE! Hearing and FEELING the ribs and sternum crack as you perform CPR is simply awful. It’s a horrible life for the patient too.
It’s a cultural belief too. This must be addressed.
We, as health care workers, should be allowed to NOT participate in performing this on people.
Thank you,
Nina