What is the main goal of performing CPR?

The primary goal of performing CPR is to circulate blood and oxygen to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart, until spontaneous circulation returns. When a person goes into cardiac arrest, their heart stops pumping blood, which leads to a lack of oxygenated blood reaching the organs. CPR involves chest compressions and sometimes assisted breaths, which help to maintain perfusion and oxygenation, minimizing the risk of brain damage and increasing the chances of survival until advanced medical care can take over.

Restoring a patient's airway is an important step in the overall management of a patient, particularly in cases where there is a risk of asphyxia, but it is not the main goal of CPR itself. Providing comfort to the patient is important in end-of-life care or for those who are conscious and in distress; however, it is not the primary aim during a resuscitative effort like CPR. Reducing the workload on the heart is a factor that may happen as a result of effective CPR, but it is not the central purpose of the intervention. The essence of CPR is to proactively sustain life by ensuring that blood flows to critical areas of the body, thus enhancing the likelihood of a successful recovery.