Website of the UK government

Resuscitation treatment

Methods of resuscitation include:

• Learn more about defibrillation Opens new window

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:

Most revived patients are often still unwell and need intensive or coronary care. However everybody 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 could occur.

Deciding about CPR

You and your doctor and medical team can decide together whether CPR would be attempted if your heart and breathing stopped. 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. They will take account of your situation and what you or those close to you have said. If you're under 18 (16 in Scotland) your parents can decide for you.

Your right to refuse resuscitation

If you know you don't want CPR you can refuse it and your healthcare team must follow your wishes. You can make your wishes known by writing them down in a living will (called an 'advance directive'). Ask your healthcare team to keep a copy of this in your notes.  Or you can simply ask for a record of you wishes to be recorded in your notes. It's a good idea to inform family and friends of your wishes.

If you decide against CPR you will continue to receive the best possible care. A note will be added to your records that you are 'not for cardiopulmonary resuscitation' (sometimes called 'do-not-attempt-resuscitation' or DNAR). Note that a DNAR relates only to CPR. You would continue to receive others types of life-saving treatment you need.

• How to make a living will

Changing your mind

You can change your mind at any time about a decision you have made about receiving CPR.

If you haven't made a decision about CPR

If you heart and breathing stops, but you haven't made your wishes known about CPR, doctors will decide if it's in your best interests to be resuscitated. Family or friends don't have the right to decide. But they will be involved in discussions about what to do so let them know about any wishes you have. If there are people you don't want to be asked about your care, let the healthcare team know.

In Scotland, people over 16 can appoint a 'proxy'; a partner, relative or friend who has the legal power to give consent to medical treatment when the patient can't make decisions.

If your doctors advise against CPR (England and Wales)

If you want to be resuscitated regardless of the outcome and medical staff have doubts that CPR would work, they will arrange for a second medical opinion if you would like one.

If you still want to be revived, medical staff will attempt resuscitation if it's best for you at the time. But they won't give treatment that goes against their clinical judgement.

Information on resuscitation policies

You should be able to get written information on resuscitation policies from healthcare organisations including your local NHS trust, hospitals, GP's surgery and residential care homes. You can speak to a member of staff to discuss the issues.

If you want to complain

If you are concerned that your wishes about CPR aren't being properly discussed or taken into account you can complain.

Healthcare trusts and hospitals

All local healthcare trusts and private or NHS hospitals have complaints procedures. Follow the links below to find out more.  If you're still unhappy after this you can complain to the Healthcare Commission (the inspection body for NHS and independent healthcare).

• Make a complaint against the health service
• Private hospitals - how to complain Opens new window
• How to complain to the Healthcare Commission Opens new window

Residential care homes

All private and local authority residential care homes should also have a complaints procedure. If you're still unhappy after following their procedures you can complain to the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

• How to complain to the Commission for Social Care Inspection Opens new window

More useful links

• Information leaflet on CPR from the Resuscitation Council Opens new window
• Help with PDF files
• Overview of resuscitation guidelines from the Resuscitation Council Opens new window
• Children and young people - resuscitation policies Opens new window