Performing CPR During Coronavirus Pandemic

Covid-19 fears have altered most aspects of daily life, especially physical human contact. The American Heart Association realizes that people may be reluctant to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) — a lifesaving act that requires direct physical contact.

A senior director with the regional AHA, Gina Hrach, said they are “currently suggesting using hands-only CPR until first responders are able to get to the patient.” That applies only to adults. For children and infants, the AHA is still encouraging breaths and chest compressions.

Dr. Farhan Katchi, an Allegheny Health Network cardiologist, said with children, the predominant cause of cardiac arrest is most likely due to breathing or respiratory distress. He added that in most instances, the child is with a parent or other family member, so risk of contracting something such as COVID-19 would be minimal.

In an emergency situation, the AHA recommends to first call 911 and then see whether an automated external defibrillator is available. The portable device delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart.

Hrach said to do CPR safely, “cover your mouth and nose with a mask and do the same for the patient. Then push hard in the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 compressions a minute.”

To make sure your rate is correct, she said singing the song “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees will keep compressions at the correct frequency.

Hrach said taking action has consistently been shown to improve the likelihood of survival for those who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Hands-only CPR can also be effective, she said, and is better than no CPR at all.

Katchi said that if people are not properly trained or comfortable with doing breaths with CPR, they might not be delivering the right rate. Katchi said hands-only CPR can be effective and had been promoted as viable even before the pandemic.

He said most emergencies happen in the home with an elderly person, so the individual performing CPR knows and has been around the patient for some time, so the threat of contracting the coronavirus or any other contagious disease is low. If something happens at a store, most have an AED.

Katchi said if you have a concern and are still going to do mouth-to-mouth, use a seal mask if available.

Pandemic fears are keeping people from calling for 911. A statement released by the AHA, the American College of Emergency Physicians and other medical groups urges people to call 911 and go to a hospital in an emergency. The statement said reports from the front lines of hospitals indicate a marked drop in the number of heart attacks and strokes nationally. It states that calling 911 is still the best chance of surviving or saving a life. According to the AHA, about 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes.

“Emergency rooms all over the country are reporting this,” Katchi said. “There is not an increase in dying in a hospital from a heart attack or stroke due to COVID-19. So it is not recommended to delay your care for a heart attack and stroke. If you have symptoms, don’t wait.”