BBC Morning Live’s health expert, Dr Xand van Tullenken, has shared a ‘life saving’ CPR technique that he believes ‘everyone should know’.
He highlighted the increased risk of heart attacks during colder weather, emphasising the importance of knowing CPR in autumn and winter.
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a crucial emergency procedure used to revive someone whose heart has stopped. This involves chest compressions, rescue breaths, and potentially the use of a defibrillator.
Cold weather can exacerbate heart conditions, particularly during physical activity, and can cause blood to thicken, increasing the risk of clots, heart attacks, or strokes.
Speaking to BBC presenters Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones, Dr Xand advised that the first step in an emergency is to call 999.
He also noted that most out-of-hospital heart attacks occur at home.
“If they are not breathing, you don’t need to start by checking for a pulse, and you don’t need to take off any clothing – unless they’re wearing a heavy winter coat. But the main thing is to get blood pumping around their body as soon as possible,” he added.
Displaying the correct method to viewers, the doctor explained you must interlock your hands with palms facing downwards and maintain straight arms to avoid fatigue, reports Gloucestershire Live.
“We’re aiming for the middle of the breastbone, between the breasts of a lady,” he instructed. “What you are trying to do is squeeze the whole chest.”
He elaborated: “As we compress the chest, there are valves inside the body that means the blood moves in the right direction. But what you are really doing is sloshing blood around the body and that will get it to the places it is needed.”
To find the rhythm for chest compressions, he suggested following the beat from the Bee Gees’ classic ‘Staying Alive’.
When Helen noted the title’s poignancy, Dr Xand remarked: “It is ironic, but it is a lovely reminder.”
He clarified for those tuned in: “So that’s 100 beats per minute. What you are trying to do is compress the chest enough to squeeze the blood around.”
Providing a serious caution, Dr Xand warned: “You may break ribs when you’re doing this. You are taking over the work of an incredibly powerful organ and so you may feel crunching, that’s okay. Doing it harder rather than too gently is more important.”
Gethin questioned the duration required for the chest compressions, and the medical expert advised: “You need to keep doing it until help arrives or until the person comes around.”
Dr Xand’s life-saving CPR demonstration made waves on BBC Morning Live, with the British Heart Foundation weighing in: “Great to see this on this morning’s segment and thank you for highlighting the importance of knowing how to perform CPR, especially as we reach winter.”
Leading health authorities remind us that time is of the essence during a heart attack. According to the NHS: “Call 999 immediately if you think someone might be having a heart attack. The faster you act, the better their chances.”
When it comes to symptoms, chest pain is common but can range from severe to mild, often mistaken for indigestion.
It is vital to recognise that heart attack signs can vary widely; other indicators include shortness of breath, nausea, and even back or jaw pain without any presence of chest pain.
The NHS adds: “If you have had a heart attack, it’s important that you rest while you wait for an ambulance, to avoid unnecessary strain on your heart.”
If aspirin is available and you are not allergic to it, slowly chew and then swallow an adult-size tablet (300mg) while you wait for the ambulance. Aspirin helps to thin your blood and improve blood flow to your heart.
