CPR for Women: Understanding the Differences, Similarities, and Why Awareness Saves Lives

by Kimesha Blackwood

May 29, 2026

Women and Heart Disease: An Overlooked Health Crisis

When most people picture someone having a heart attack, they often imagine a middle-aged man clutching his chest. While heart disease certainly affects men, it is also the leading cause of death among women. Unfortunately, women are often underdiagnosed, undertreated, and less likely to receive immediate life-saving interventions such as CPR during a cardiac emergency.

Understanding how cardiac events present in women and why disparities exist can help save lives.

Are Heart Attacks Different in Women?

The basic process of a heart attack is the same for both men and women: blood flow to the heart becomes blocked, depriving the heart muscles of oxygen, the myocardium or heart muscles die, the victim then has the sensation of chest pain.

Women are more likely to experience symptoms that are less commonly associated with heart attacks, including:

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea or vomiting

• Jaw, neck, shoulder, or back pain

• Extreme fatigue

• Lightheadedness or dizziness

• Upper abdominal discomfort

• profound indigestion

While chest pain remains the most common symptom in both sexes, women are more likely to have these additional symptoms, which can delay recognition and treatment both in self-diagnosis and clinical assessment by the medical team. This contributes to poorer outcomes and delayed medical intervention. 

CPR Is the Same for Men and Women

One of the most important messages for the public is that CPR is performed the same way on adult men and women.

The correct hand placement remains:

• Center of the chest

• Lower half of the breastbone (sternum)

• Push hard and fast at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute

• Allow full chest recoil between compressions

Breasts do not change the location of CPR compressions. If a woman is unresponsive and not breathing normally, immediate CPR should begin without hesitation.

The CPR Gender Gap

Research continues to reveal a troubling reality: women experiencing cardiac arrest in public are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders than men.

A large Duke University study examining more than 309,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests found that women were approximately 14% less likely to receive bystander CPR and defibrillation compared with men. 

This difference has real consequences because bystander CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival following cardiac arrest. 

Why Are Women Less Likely to Receive CPR?

Researchers have identified several contributing factors:

Fear of Inappropriate Touching

Some bystanders report concern about touching a woman's chest or fear being accused of inappropriate behavior while performing CPR. Studies have identified this as one of the most commonly reported barriers to providing aid. 

Difficulty Recognizing Cardiac Emergencies

Because women may present with less typical symptoms before cardiac arrest, bystanders may not recognize the seriousness of the situation as quickly. 

Training Bias

Historically, CPR training manikins have been designed with flat chests, leading some experts to suggest that rescuers may feel less confident performing CPR on female bodies in real-life emergencies. Recent research has highlighted the need for more inclusive CPR training models. 

Delayed Medical Recognition

Research has consistently demonstrated that women often experience delays in diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular conditions compared with men, which can negatively impact outcomes. 

Current Research on Survival Differences

Recent National Institutes of Health-supported research found that survival benefits associated with bystander CPR may be significantly greater for men than women, highlighting ongoing disparities in emergency cardiac care and outcomes. Researchers emphasize the need for continued public education and efforts to ensure equitable treatment for all patients experiencing cardiac arrest. 

What Needs to Change?

Closing the CPR gender gap requires:

• Increased public awareness of heart disease in women

• CPR education that includes female-presenting manikins

• Greater confidence among bystanders to act immediately

• Improved recognition of women's heart attack symptoms

• Ongoing public health campaigns addressing myths surrounding CPR and female anatomy

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Every Minute Matters

When cardiac arrest occurs, survival depends on immediate action. Whether the victim is a man or a woman, the response should be the same:

Call 911. Start CPR.Use an AED if available.

A person's life is far more important than any hesitation or uncertainty. Knowing CPR and being willing to act can make the difference between life and death.

Take Action

Every minute without CPR decreases a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival. For women, who are already less likely to receive bystander CPR, public awareness and education are critical.

The truth is simple: CPR saves lives, regardless of gender. By learning CPR you become part of the solution, someone prepared to act with confidence when every second counts.

Whether you are a healthcare professional, caregiver, teacher, parent, church volunteer, or community member, CPR training equips you with the skills to recognize emergencies, respond effectively, and potentially save the life of someone you love.

Don't wait for an emergency to wish you had the training.

Become CPR certified today.

Contact Blackwoods Healthcare Learning Centre to register for an upcoming CPR, or BLS course, and gain the confidence to make a difference when it matters most.

📞 905-244-3277

Together, we can close the CPR gender gap and create safer, healthier communities for everyone. At Blackwoods Healthcare Learning Centre, we believe life-saving skills should be accessible to everyone. Our CPR, and BLS programs empower healthcare professionals and community members with the confidence to respond effectively during emergencies and help create safer communities for all.