The attitude of cardiac care patients towards CPR and CPR education

The recommended targeting of the elderly, those with heart conditions and their family members for CPR education remains unaccomplished. Little is known about cardiac patients' knowledge of and attitude towards CPR and CPR education. This study aimed to investigate cardiac care patients' attitude towards CPR and interest in CPR education. An interview, based on a questionnaire, was conducted with 401 consecutive patients admitted to a coronary care unit. Most participants had heard about the concept of CPR and 64% were aware of its content. In the event of an emergency, 96% were willing to undergo CPR. Age, previous myocardial infarction and heart failure were significantly associated with the willingness or lack of willingness to undergo CPR. Forty percent of the participants had attended one or more courses but only a few within the last two years. The major reasons for not being educated in CPR were a lack of awareness of the availability of CPR training for the public, lack of interest or lack of enterprise. Among those not educated in CPR, 46% would like to attend a course. A hospital was the preferred location for the course, often due to the perceived higher competence of the instructors, but sometimes, because it offered a safe environment. The primary health care centre was preferred because of its location near the participants' homes. In order to increase the proportion of people trained in CPR in target groups such as cardiac care patients and their family members, healthcare professionals should provide patients with information and opportunities to attend locally situated, professionally led courses.