How does anxiety impact CPR performance?

Anxiety can significantly impact an individual's performance during high-stress situations, such as administering CPR. When a person is anxious, their body's stress response can lead to hesitation, which may hinder their ability to respond effectively to an emergency. This hesitation might manifest as uncertainty about what actions to take or a delay in initiating CPR, both of which can critically reduce the chances of a successful outcome for the person in need.

In stressful scenarios, anxiety may also impair cognitive functions, making it difficult to think clearly or recall training and protocols. This impairment can cause a breakdown in effective communication and coordination if multiple rescuers are involved. Therefore, recognizing and managing anxiety in CPR situations is crucial to ensure prompt and decisive action is taken to save lives.