Can You Do CPR on Someone With Asthma

When someone with asthma suffers a severe attack or respiratory distress, you might question whether it’s safe or even possible to perform CPR on them. Given the alarming statistics that over 24.9 million Americans, including 4.6 million children, live with this chronic respiratory condition, everyone must know how to help someone having a severe asthma attack.

Asthma can constrict the airways, making even the subconscious act of breathing hard to do. The condition can escalate quickly and may lead to life-threatening scenarios where the victim might need immediate CPR. But can you do CPR on someone with asthma?

In this article, we’ll cover the correct procedure and precautions for performing CPR on someone with asthma. So, let’s dive in and equip you with the knowledge of saving a life.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways (tubes that carry air in and out of our lungs). If you have asthma, your airways are often swollen and sensitive, and they may react strongly to certain substances you might breathe in. Some people even describe it as trying to breathe through a straw – it’s that hard.