The Shocking Truth About CPR Survival Rates

CPR can sometimes save lives, but it also has a dark side. Many people learn what they know about CPR from television, where survival rates are much higher than in real life. The true odds of survival are grim, and the procedure can cause physical harm, including fractured or cracked ribs, pulmonary hemorrhage, liver lacerations, and broken sternums. CPR can also cause brain injury, and many patients who survive wish they hadn't received it due to the injuries sustained from the resuscitation. Physicians should educate patients on the true survival rates of CPR and initiate conversations about end-of-life care early, so that patients' wishes are known in advance if they suffer a cardiac arrest.