Movie Star Doctor Promotes CPR

Ken Jeong encourages hands-only CPR awareness

(RxWiki News) Star power has long been used to hock an untold number of products. Now the American Heart Association hopes to take advantage with the appearance of a well-known actor in promoting its Hands-Only CPR campaign.

Dr. Ken Jeong, star of The Hangover, The Hangover Part 2 and NBC series Community, will have a chance to use his medical training with a new American Heart Association video that uses disco hit "Stayin' Alive" to help people remember what to do during sudden cardiac arrest. 

"Providing effective CPR immediately doubles survival rates."

Dr. Jeong, who is an internal medicine physician, said he helped the organization because he wants people to know that cardiac arrest is a serious matter and that immediate action can mean the difference between life and death.

The video can be viewed at Crowdrise.com, a social media platform that the organization is working with to raise money to support the American Heart Association.

Sudden cardiac arrest happens when the heart abruptly stops functioning. It is the leading cause of death in the United States. About 80 percent collapse at home with the victim's friends and family often standing by because they are uncertain what to do.

The comic video features a group of friends playing Charades when one guest collapses from cardiac arrest. Jeong comes to assist in the video while wearing a white 70s style jumpsuit. As he dances, he gives instructions on performing hands-only CPR.

The Bee Gees song "Stayin' Alive" that is played is considered near perfect rhythm for performing CPR chest compressions.

Hands-Only CPR, also called CPR without using breaths, involves two easy steps to help an adult cardiac arrest victim. The first is to call 9-1-1 and the second is to push hard and fast in the center of the chest until paramedics arrive and healthcare providers take over.

Review Date: 
June 17, 2011