The NHS has warned that women could miss out on life-saving treatment during a cardiac arrest because they are less likely to receive immediate CPR from a bystander. In a social media post, the health service said women were found to be 27% less likely than men to receive CPR from a bystander, with breasts cited as a key reason.
Why women may miss out on CPR
The NHS highlighted findings that one in three people are reluctant to perform CPR on a woman in public due to concerns about touching her breasts. It stressed the importance of making every second count in a medical emergency.
Cardiac arrest usually happens without warning and occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. This causes a person to lose consciousness and they could stop breathing completely.
NHS plea: 'Don't hesitate'
In its post, the NHS said: "When someone experiences a cardiac arrest, everyone deserves the same chance of receiving potentially life-saving treatment. If a woman is in cardiac arrest, don’t hesitate. Call 999 and start CPR."
Studies show that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) continues to be a significant global health issue, particularly when it occurs outside of hospital settings. It is the primary cause of death in European countries and the United States.
Research on bystander hesitation
A 2025 study found that men often hesitated to perform CPR on a woman "due to concerns about physical contact, particularly regarding removing clothing during resuscitation". The researchers also found that most participants who knew CPR had never practised on female mannequins, despite widespread support, especially among women, for incorporating female models into training.
How to learn CPR
CPR can be learned in the UK through free online interactive tools or by booking a practical, in-person training course with a major national provider. For full, hands-on certification or workplace compliance, formal basic life support or first aid courses are available through trusted national bodies such as St John Ambulance or the British Red Cross.
The British Heart Foundation offers a free interactive online session that guides users through recognising cardiac arrest, calling 999, and using a defibrillator. The guidance for giving CPR to children and babies differs from that for adults, and Save a Life for Scotland provides further advice on giving CPR to an adult.
