Are TV shows getting CPR wrong?
A new research study found that TV shows may mislead viewers about who needs CPR, where it’s usually needed and how fast you’ll see someone’s health improve.
The American Heart Association (AHA) study reviewed 169 TV episodes that depicted CPR and aired after 2008. The types of shows reviewed spanned dramas and animated sitcoms.
What TV shows get wrong
Researchers found that TV shows are often inaccurate in how they portray medical emergencies:
- Less than 30% of TV shows accurately portrayed hands-only CPR, which includes calling 911 and starting chest compressions.
- Over 50% of the people who received hands-only CPR on TV shows were under 40 years old. In reality, the average age of someone receiving CPR is 63 years old.
- On TV, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests were more likely to happen in remote areas (37%) or public spaces (26%). Most cardiac arrests actually occur at home (80%).
- Fictional TV characters received CPR about 58% of the time, but only about 40% are likely to receive CPR in real life.
- Minorities were underrepresented, with most TV depictions featuring men and white adults.
CPR in reality
“It’s hard to say how much television influences how people respond in emergencies, but the media absolutely shapes expectations about what emergency care looks like and what it can accomplish,” says Dr. Noah Einstein, an emergency medicine physician at Advocate Health Care. “In reality, TV shows are not a very accurate illustration of how resuscitation works.”
Dr. Einstein adds that many believe life-saving measures like CPR will restore someone to their prior level of health, but that’s rarely the case. Outcomes vary based on age, pre–existing conditions and how quickly CPR was started.
“CPR can be lifesaving in the right context, but it’s rarely a magic wand,” Dr. Einstein says. “Patients may face significant complications even after circulation is restored.”
While CPR doesn’t guarantee recovery, it can be a person’s best chance of survival. The first few minutes after someone collapses are the most critical.
“Compressions alone can save a patient’s life in the out-of-hospital setting until EMS arrives to take over more definitive care,” says Dr. Daniel Boyes, an emergency medicine physician at Advocate Health Care. “If a bystander is comfortable, they can perform 30 chest compressions with two rescue breaths, though chest compressions without rescue breaths can still improve outcomes for the patient.”
While many believe rescue breaths, or mouth-to-mouth, is an essential part of CPR, the AHA no longer recommends it in most emergency situations. Mouth-to-mouth is a significant hesitation for many bystanders, so removing this requirement encourages more people to provide CPR.
Rescue breaths are still ideal for children, drownings, overdoses and anytime oxygen deprivation is a factor.
Bystanders are encouraged to call 911, check for a pulse and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) by following the directions on the device to ensure it’s used safely.
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health enews contributor, is on the digital content team at Advocate Health and has been writing for over 15 years. She’s covered everything from health care to tech and explored topics that dive into the patient, provider and payer perspectives. When not writing, you can find her lounging at the beach or walking around the world at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT.
