Resuscitation and your right to refuse it

When a person's heart and breathing stops it is sometimes possible to restart the heart using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

CPR

Recovery after CPR varies and the patient may not regain their previous level of physical or mental health. If you don't want CPR you can refuse it and your wishes must be followed.

Resuscitation treatment

Methods of resuscitation include:

repeatedly pushing down very firmly on the chest
using electric shocks to try to restart the heart (defibrillation)
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
lung ventilation using a mask over the nose or mouth, or a tube inserted into the windpipe

Success rates and what happens after CPR

Attempted CPR is successful in restarting the heart and breathing in about four out of 10 patients. On average two out of 10 patients survive long enough to leave hospital.

How a patient responds to CPR will depend on:

their general health beforehand
the reasons their heart stopped beating

Most revived patients are often still unwell and need intensive or coronary care. However, everyone is different.

Your doctor or healthcare team will explain what CPR may be able to do for you.

Possible complications

Resuscitation can sometimes cause physical problems such as bruising, fractured ribs or punctured lungs. If the treatment is delayed, brain damage may occur.

Deciding about CPR

You and your doctor and medical team can decide together whether CPR will be attempted if your heart and breathing stop. A key factor will be whether CPR is likely to succeed, and the anticipated level of recovery. Your wishes are an important part of the decision making process.

As well as talking to your doctor you may also want to discuss your options with close family and friends. If you don't feel ready to decide or discuss CPR, the doctor looking after you will decide for you if it becomes necessary. The doctor will take account of your situation and what you or those close to you have said.

Information on resuscitation policies

You should be able to get written information on resuscitation policies from healthcare organisations including your local HSC Trust, hospitals, GP's surgery and residential care and nursing homes.

You can speak to a member of staff to discuss any issues.

Complaints procedures

If you are unhappy with the care or treatment you receive in a health or social care organisation, you can make a complaint. The information at the page below explains how you can do this.