What is the primary purpose of CPR?

The primary purpose of CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is to maintain blood flow and breathing in a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. During cardiac arrest, the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, which means that vital organs, including the brain, do not receive the oxygen and nutrients they need. CPR promotes artificial circulation and helps to keep blood flowing to those organs until advanced medical help can arrive and restore normal heart function.

Maintaining blood flow through chest compressions is critical, as it helps to prevent permanent damage to the brain and other organs that can occur within minutes of cardiac arrest. Additionally, rescue breaths can provide oxygen to the lungs. This dual approach is essential in maximizing the chances of survival and recovery for someone experiencing a cardiac event.

The other options, while relevant to emergency situations, do not encapsulate the primary purpose of CPR. Choking relief is a specific intervention that may require different techniques than CPR. Restarting the heart is an outcome of effective CPR and advanced medical intervention but not the immediate purpose. Providing emotional support is important for bystanders and the victim's family but does not address the immediate physical needs of a person in cardiac arrest.