Can You Give CPR to a Person with Asthma? Understanding Emergency Response
Yes, you absolutely can and should give CPR to a person with asthma if they are unresponsive and not breathing normally. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique that can help maintain blood flow and oxygen delivery to the vital organs until professional medical help arrives, regardless of the underlying cause of cardiac arrest.
Asthma and Respiratory Distress: A Background
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing. During an asthma attack, these symptoms worsen, potentially resulting in severe respiratory distress. While most asthma attacks are manageable with medication, some can be life-threatening, potentially leading to respiratory arrest, which, if prolonged, can cause cardiac arrest. Therefore, understanding when and how to administer CPR in such situations is crucial.
When Is CPR Necessary?
CPR is only necessary when a person is unresponsive, not breathing normally (or only gasping), and has no pulse. These are signs of cardiac arrest. Asthma can lead to respiratory arrest (cessation of breathing) and subsequently cardiac arrest, but cardiac arrest itself can have other causes. The underlying cause of the cardiac arrest does not change the need for CPR. Can you give CPR to a person with asthma in cardiac arrest? The answer is a resounding yes.
How CPR Benefits Someone in Cardiac Arrest
CPR helps maintain circulation when the heart has stopped beating effectively. This is critical for preventing irreversible brain damage. By providing chest compressions, you’re manually pumping blood through the body, ensuring that vital organs receive oxygen. Rescue breaths, if you are trained and willing, provide additional oxygen. The benefits of immediate CPR far outweigh any perceived risks.
Performing CPR: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to perform CPR (this guide is for adults; techniques differ for children and infants):
- Assess the situation: Ensure the scene is safe for you and the victim.
- Check for responsiveness: Tap the person’s shoulder and shout, “Are you okay?”
- Call for help: If the person is unresponsive, call emergency services (e.g., 911) or ask someone else to do so. If possible, get an automated external defibrillator (AED).
- Check for breathing: Look for chest rise and fall for no more than 10 seconds. Gasping is not considered normal breathing.
- Begin chest compressions:
- Place the heel of one hand in the center of the person’s chest, between the nipples.
- Place your other hand on top of the first hand and interlock your fingers.
- Position yourself directly over the person’s chest.
- Push hard and fast, compressing the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm).
- Compress at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
- Give rescue breaths (if trained and willing):
- After 30 chest compressions, open the person’s airway using the head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver.
- Pinch the person’s nose shut and make a complete seal over their mouth with your mouth.
- Give two rescue breaths, each lasting about 1 second. Watch for the chest to rise.
- Continue CPR: Continue cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths (if giving breaths) until professional help arrives, an AED is ready for use, or the person shows signs of life.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hesitating to start CPR: Do not hesitate. Even imperfect CPR is better than no CPR.
- Compressing too shallowly: Ensure you are compressing the chest at least 2 inches deep for adults.
- Compressing too slowly or too quickly: Aim for a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
- Interrupting compressions unnecessarily: Minimize interruptions to maintain blood flow.
- Not allowing the chest to recoil completely: Let the chest fully recoil after each compression.
- Giving breaths that are too forceful or too long: Breaths should last about 1 second and be enough to make the chest rise visibly.
AED Use
An AED can deliver an electrical shock to restart the heart. Follow the AED’s voice prompts. If no shock is advised, continue CPR until professional help arrives. AEDs are designed to be safe and effective, even for untrained users. Remember, asking can you give CPR to a person with asthma is important, but using an AED when available is equally vital.
Asthma Medications and Emergency Situations
If the person is conscious and experiencing an asthma attack, help them use their inhaler. If their condition worsens despite using their inhaler, or if they become unresponsive, that’s when CPR and calling for emergency services become critical.
When to Stop CPR
You should stop CPR only when:
- Professional medical help arrives and takes over.
- The person shows obvious signs of life (e.g., breathing normally, movement).
- You are physically unable to continue.
- An AED advises you to stop for a shock.
Remember
Can You Give CPR to a Person with Asthma? Yes, absolutely. CPR is a life-saving technique that should be administered to anyone in cardiac arrest, regardless of the underlying cause. Proper training in CPR and AED use is highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to perform CPR on someone with asthma?
Yes, it is safe and absolutely necessary to perform CPR on someone with asthma who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. The benefits of maintaining blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs far outweigh any theoretical risks.
What if I don’t know how to perform CPR?
Even if you are not formally trained, hands-only CPR (chest compressions only) is still beneficial. Call emergency services immediately and follow their instructions. Dispatchers can often guide you through the process.
Could I hurt the person by performing CPR?
It is possible to cause injuries such as fractured ribs during CPR, but these injuries are far less significant than the consequences of not performing CPR on someone in cardiac arrest.
What if the person is gasping for air? Is that normal breathing?
Gasping is not considered normal breathing and should be treated as a sign of cardiac arrest. Begin CPR immediately.
Should I check for a pulse before starting CPR?
Current guidelines emphasize starting chest compressions immediately if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Checking for a pulse is no longer the primary focus for lay rescuers.
What if I am afraid of doing something wrong?
Hesitation can be deadly. Any attempt at CPR is better than no attempt. Follow the steps to the best of your ability and don’t be afraid to seek guidance from emergency dispatchers.
Does asthma medication interfere with CPR?
No, asthma medication does not interfere with the effectiveness of CPR. If the person is conscious and able to use their inhaler, assist them. But, if they become unresponsive, proceed with CPR regardless.
How long should I continue CPR?
Continue CPR until professional medical help arrives, the person shows signs of life, an AED advises you to stop for a shock, or you are physically unable to continue.
What if I see the person take a breath during CPR?
Even if the person takes a brief breath, continue CPR until they are breathing normally and have a pulse. A single breath is not sufficient to indicate recovery.
Is there anything special I need to do when giving rescue breaths to someone with asthma?
Give rescue breaths in the same manner as you would for anyone else. Ensure you create a tight seal over their mouth and watch for chest rise.
What is an AED, and how does it work?
An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. It provides voice prompts to guide you through the process. AEDs are designed to be safe and effective for use by untrained individuals.
Can I give CPR to a pregnant woman with asthma who is in cardiac arrest?
Yes, the same CPR techniques apply to pregnant women in cardiac arrest. Be sure to call for emergency assistance immediately and inform them of the pregnancy.