What is the main principle behind CPR?

The main principle behind CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is to restore circulation. CPR is a critical emergency procedure performed when an individual's heart has stopped beating, which can occur due to various reasons, such as cardiac arrest. The primary goal of CPR is to maintain vital blood flow to the brain and other organs until professional medical assistance can arrive or until the individual's heart can be restarted.

When performing CPR, rescuers use chest compressions to manually pump blood through the heart and circulate it throughout the body. This process is vital for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the brain and other vital organs, which helps to prevent irreversible damage due to lack of oxygen. Additionally, rescue breaths may be administered to provide oxygen directly into the lungs if trained individuals are able to do so, but the primary focus remains on maintaining circulation through compressions.

While increasing blood pressure or reviving consciousness may be incidental results of successful CPR, restoring circulation is the fundamental action that addresses the immediate life-threatening situation of cardiac arrest.