New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency first aid protocol for a victim of cardiac arrest. It can be performed by trained lay persons or by healthcare or emergency response professionals. It is normally begun on an unbreathing unconscious person and continued until action can be taken to restart the heart or otherwise diagnose the problem. CPR essentially consists of a pattern of chest compressions and rescue breaths (i.e. artificial blood circulation and lung ventilation) and is intended to maintain a trickle of oxygenated blood to the brain and the heart and thereby extend the otherwise brief window of opportunity for successfully restarting the heart without permanent brain damage. CPR itself is not intended to restart the heart but must be performed continuously until medical responders can attempt to restart the heart by other means.

Related Stories
 


Health & Medicine News

March 25, 2026

Scientists have discovered that losing a key protein in small cell lung cancer triggers inflammation that actually helps tumors grow and spread. Even more surprising, it pushes cancer cells into a more aggressive, neuron-like state linked to ...
A major discovery reveals that metformin works not just in the body, but in the brain. By switching off a key protein and activating specific neurons, the drug lowers blood sugar through a previously hidden pathway, opening new doors for diabetes ...
Nearly half of Americans don’t know that processed meat increases colorectal cancer risk, according to a new poll. But once they learn the connection, most support warning labels—suggesting people want clearer information. Experts warn that ...
Balance problems in aging and Parkinson’s may come from the body working too hard, not too little. Scientists found that the brain and muscles become overactive during even minor disturbances, yet this actually weakens balance recovery. At the ...
Researchers have visualized atoms in motion just before a radiation-driven decay process occurs, revealing a surprisingly dynamic scene. Instead of remaining fixed, the atoms roam and rearrange, directly influencing how and when the decay unfolds. ...
New fathers appear to have fewer mental health diagnoses during pregnancy and the early months after birth. But that early stability does not last. About a year later, depression and stress-related disorders increase significantly, surprising ...
Researchers have identified microRNA-93 as a key genetic driver of fatty liver disease and discovered that vitamin B3 can effectively shut it down. This finding suggests a safe, widely available vitamin could become a powerful new ...
A global team of leading scientists is zeroing in on a tiny but powerful molecule that could reshape how we age. Known as NAD⁺, it plays a crucial role in keeping our cells energized, repairing ...
For over a century, scientists have chased the dream of insulin pills, but the digestive system kept destroying the drug before it could work—forcing millions of patients to rely on daily injections. Now, researchers at Kumamoto University have ...
A new study suggests a widely used bone hormone could help relieve chronic back pain in an unexpected way. Instead of just strengthening bone, it appears to stop pain-sensing nerves from growing into damaged spinal areas. In animal models, this led ...
Postmenopausal women may have a powerful new edge in the battle against weight gain. A Mayo Clinic study found that those using menopausal hormone therapy while taking the obesity drug tirzepatide lost about 35% more weight than those on the drug ...
Researchers have developed a teeth-whitening powder that works with the vibrations of an electric toothbrush to safely remove stains. Unlike traditional whiteners, it not only brightens teeth but also repairs enamel and supports healthy oral ...

Latest Headlines

updated 12:56 pm ET