Women less likely to receive CPR in public spaces during cardiac arrest

Women less likely to receive CPR in public spaces during cardiac arrest

[Cara Murez – HealthDay Reporter]

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a life-saving technique that can significantly increase the chances of survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest. However, a new study has found that women are less likely to receive CPR in a public place compared to men.

The study, presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress in Barcelona, aimed to uncover the factors that might discourage people from delivering CPR. Co-author Dr. Alexis Cournoyer, a researcher at Sacred Heart Hospital of Montreal, emphasized the importance of bystanders providing CPR in addition to calling an ambulance in an emergency.

“Women experiencing a cardiac arrest are less likely to get the CPR they need compared to men, especially if the emergency happens in public,” said Dr. Cournoyer. “We don’t know why this is the case. It could be that people are worried about hurting or touching women, or that they think a woman is less likely to be having a cardiac arrest.”

The researchers analyzed data from cardiac arrests that occurred outside of a hospital setting in Canada and the United States between 2005 and 2015. The study included more than 39,000 patients with an average age of 67.

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The results showed that 54% of patients received CPR from a bystander. However, when looking at cardiac arrests that happened in public places, the difference between men and women became more pronounced. Approximately 61% of women received CPR, compared to 68% of men.

The disparity in CPR rates between genders in public places persisted across all age groups. However, the study also revealed that older individuals, especially older men, are less likely to receive CPR in private locations.

The study found that with every 10-year increase in age, men were around 9% less likely to be given CPR during a cardiac arrest in a private setting. Similarly, for women, the chances of receiving CPR decreased by about 3% with every 10-year increase in age.

The researchers acknowledged the need for further investigation to understand the underlying reasons behind these disparities. Co-author Sylvie Cossette, a nurse researcher at the Montreal Heart Institute, expressed the importance of ensuring equal access to CPR for everyone, regardless of gender, age, or location.

“CPR saves lives, but sadly not everyone who suffers a cardiac arrest will get the CPR they need,” commented Dr. Youri Yordanov, from the St. Antoine Hospital emergency department in Paris. “This study gives us some clues about why that’s the case. A cardiac arrest can happen anytime and anywhere, so we all need to learn CPR and be willing to perform it without hesitation.”

It is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of CPR and address the barriers that prevent bystanders, particularly in public places, from providing life-saving assistance to women in cardiac distress. By debunking misconceptions and promoting inclusivity in CPR training and education, we can increase the chances of survival for all individuals experiencing cardiac arrest.

For more information on CPR, visit the American Heart Association’s website.

[SOURCES] – European Emergency Medicine Congress, news release, Sept. 18, 2023 – Contact information and credentials for Cara Murez can be found at HealthDay Reporter