The song “The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift has a tempo of 110 beats per minute, making it suitable for people to follow along and perform accurate chest compressions.
The information was shared by the American Heart Association (AHA) on their Instagram account. The post explains that “The Tortured Poets Department” has a tempo of 110 beats per minute, which is the standard rhythm for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a procedure that can save the life of someone who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. This involves using your hands to compress the chest, mimicking how the heart pumps blood, which helps to maintain blood circulation throughout the body.
Cardiac arrest occurs when blood flow to the heart is obstructed. When a person’s heart stops beating, blood cannot be pumped to the rest of the body, including the brain and lungs. Without timely treatment, the individual can die within minutes.
“If you see someone having a cardiac arrest, call emergency services and then perform CPR. Place your hands in the center of the patient’s chest and push down vertically to the rhythm of ‘The Tortured Poets Department,'” the AHA advises.
Watch the song “The Tortured Poets Department.” (Video: YouTube Taylor Swift).
According to the AHA, for adults, emergency personnel should maintain chest compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute, with a cycle of 30 compressions followed by two breaths. The rate of compressions should be between 100 to 120 per minute to maintain stable blood flow. A lower rate can reduce survival chances, while a higher rate can cause injury to the ribs and impede blood flow back to the heart.
Healthcare providers often use a metronome or songs in emergency situations. Experts believe that listening to music with a compatible tempo while practicing CPR helps people develop a “musical memory,” enabling them to perform compressions more accurately in real emergencies. Individuals can practice CPR techniques while following along with the song during training courses.
This is not the first time experts have used a song to describe the rhythm for performing chest compressions during artificial respiration. The previously famous “life-saving” song is Stayin’ Alive by The Bee Gees, which has a tempo of 103 beats per minute.
Watch the song “Stayin’ Alive.” (Video: YouTube The Bee Gees)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, about 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital do not survive. However, CPR can significantly improve survival rates. If performed within a few minutes, CPR can double or triple the victim’s chances of survival. CPR also enhances the effectiveness of defibrillation (which is often performed in hospitals).
