What is the priority action for healthcare providers in cases of suspected cardiac arrest?

In cases of suspected cardiac arrest, the priority action for healthcare providers is to initiate chest compressions. This is crucial because high-quality chest compressions provide vital circulation to the brain and heart during cardiac arrest when the heart is not effectively pumping blood. The immediate onset of chest compressions helps maintain some degree of blood flow, which is essential for sustaining consciousness and organ viability until more definitive interventions, such as defibrillation, can be implemented.

Starting chest compressions quickly is emphasized in resuscitation guidelines as the foundation of basic life support and advanced cardiac life support. It ensures that oxygenated blood continues to reach the vital organs, increasing the chances of successful resuscitation and survival.

While defibrillation, airway management, and IV access are all important components of the overall response to cardiac arrest, they should follow the initiation of chest compressions. The American Heart Association's guidelines prioritize chest compressions first, underscoring their importance in the chain of survival. Chest compressions should be delivered at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute at a depth of about two inches for adult patients, and providers should not delay starting compressions for other interventions.