Following a sudden cardiac arrest, how quickly should CPR be initiated?

Initiating CPR immediately following a sudden cardiac arrest is crucial because brain damage and other organ dysfunction can begin within minutes of the heart stopping. The key to increasing the chances of survival is the prompt return of blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Immediate CPR helps maintain blood flow and supply oxygen to essential organs until professional help arrives to provide advanced care, such as defibrillation.

This rapid response is especially critical since every minute that passes without CPR decreases the chances of survival and can lead to severe complications. Delaying CPR to confirm the absence of a pulse would waste valuable time and could be life-threatening. Similarly, waiting for emergency services to arrive means that the patient would not receive vital compressions and oxygenation needed during that critical time. Therefore, the best practice is to initiate CPR immediately after recognizing cardiac arrest to maximize the likelihood of a favorable outcome.