This leaflet has been produced to help you understand what happens when your heart stops beating, how cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be used, and when it may not be helpful.
It may be upsetting to talk about resuscitation. This booklet tries to explain the issues as clearly and sensitively as possible.
You do not have to discuss resuscitation if you do not want to. However your health care team is available if you change your mind.
Why do people die?
It’s sad, but everybody dies.
Thinking about dying usually makes us sad, and perhaps a bit frightened.
It’s not something we like to think about, but talking with your family or with your doctor, and making plans for that time, can make things as easy as possible for you and those close to you.
Death might be due to an accident, or a sudden event, but most people die from serious illnesses which they have had for many months or even years.
What happens when my heart stops beating?
When you die your heart stops beating.
No blood gets pumped round your body, so very quickly the rest of your body stops working.
Your kidneys, your liver, your lungs all stop working.
Your brain will stop working about three minutes after your heart stops beating.
What is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?
If your heart stops beating it may be possible to start it beating again.
Attempts to restart your heart will include pressing down firmly on your chest again and again, and breathing for you.
This is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Ambulance or hospital staff might use a machine to give your heart an electric shock to make it start working again.
They may put a tube down your windpipe to help you breathe, or give you drugs to help your heart start.
Do patients fully recover after CPR?
Each person has a different chance of CPR working. Only about 2 out of 10 patients who have CPR survive and go home from hospital; survival is less likely in people with lots of health problems.
Even if CPR starts the heart again, patients usually need more treatment, often in an intensive care unit. Some patients never get fully better and suffer from mental or physical disabilities.
The decision to attempt CPR has nothing to do with how old you are or your abilities. It is about whether or not the treatment will help you.
Your doctor is the best person to decide if CPR is likely to help.
CPR will not be attempted if it will only start your heart and breathing for a short time, or if it would prolong your suffering.
Will someone discuss CPR with me?
You might want to talk about what happens when you die, or you might have questions about CPR. It might be that because you have lots of health problems, CPR cannot help, and the health care team will decide not to attempt it when your heart stops. This is a DNACPR decision.
You have a right to be told if a DNACPR decision has been made, unless telling you would be harmful.
What if I don’t want to or am unable to talk about this myself?
You can appoint someone to have power of attorney for your health. This person is then allowed to speak on your behalf when you can’t do this yourself. If you cannot talk for yourself or don’t wish to, then the health care professionals in charge of your care will decide what treatment is best for you (this is a best interests decision). Wherever possible they will discuss this with those close to you.
What if I want CPR to be attempted?
Health care professionals will not refuse your wish for CPR if it will be of benefit to you.
However, you cannot insist on having a treatment that will not work. Health care professionals will not offer treatment that will be degrading or cause harm.
If there is any doubt that CPR would work, the health care team can arrange a second opinion if you would like one.
If CPR might work, but it is likely to leave you severely ill or disabled, your opinion about whether the chances are worth taking is very important.
The health care team must and will listen to your.
What if I know I don’t want to be resuscitated?
If you don’t want CPR you can refuse it and your health care team must respect your wishes. You can talk to your doctor or nurse about this.
Your doctor or nurse can give you advice on making a legally binding advance decision to refuse treatment.
If it is decided CPR will not be attempted, what will happen next?
If you do not want CPR, or if your doctor decides that it will not work for you, a do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) form will be completed and discussed with you.
It tells everyone who looks after you that this decision has been made.
There is only one copy of the form which will be needed if you are admitted to hospice or hospital, or if you travel by ambulance. At home, it needs to be kept safe so that healthcare professionals can see it if needed.
What happens if my situation changes?
Your DNACPR form will state when the decision should be reviewed. If your health condition changes, the decision can be reviewed.
Your health care team will be happy to discuss any changes with you.
Can I see what is written about me?
You have a legal right to see what is written about you and can ask to do so.
If you do not understand what is written, your health care team will explain it to you.
What about other treatments?
If doctors decide not to attempt CPR, this will not affect any of your other treatment.
You will still receive the best care and medicines for your condition.
Who else can I talk to about this?
If you or your family do not think that you have had a chance to talk about this properly, please talk to a nurse or doctor looking after you.
If you don’t want to talk about it at all, that’s fine too.
There are people to listen if and when you do:
- your family, friends and carers
- a hospital chaplain, or someone from your own faith community
- an advocacy service
- community nursing teams
- palliative care teams
- your GP
- your district nurse
This leaflet has been adapted from an original collaboration between The Bradford and Airedale Palliative Care Managed Clinical Network for People with Learning Disabilities and Bradford Taking Media’s Access to Information for Minorities (AIM) Project.
The Yorkshire and Humber DNACPR Regional Working Group gratefully acknowledges the work of these groups.
References and further reading
The Bradford and Airedale palliative care managed clinical network for people with learning disabilities.
- Telephone: 01274 323511
11 to 12 Eldon Place
Bradford
BD1 3AZ
Document control
Decisions relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation, RCN, Resuscitation Council (UK), BMA 3rd edition 2014 Deciding right, your life your choice. NHS England Northern Clinical Networks and Senate, April 2014.
Page last reviewed: April 30, 2024
Next review due: April 30, 2025