Women face greater odds of death if they suffer a cardiac arrest

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Women are less likely than men to receive life-saving CPR in a public place if they suffer a cardiac arrest, research suggests. 

Dutch scientists found 73 per cent of men who had public cardiac arrests received CPR from a bystander - but only 68 per cent of women did.

Fears touching a woman's chest may be seen as sexual harassment may put people off from helping to restart their heart, scientists say.

An expert commenting on the study also claimed that bystanders may be scared of hurting 'frail' women by performing CPR.

The researchers warned people are less likely to realise the seriousness of a woman's condition and may be slower to realise they need help. 

This may lead to delays in calling the emergency services, hindering the survival chances of female patients.

The British Heart Foundation said the finding that women were seven per cent less likely to get CPR from a member of the public was 'worrying'. 

A cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. They are more serious than heart attacks. 

Figures show more than 30,000 cardiac arrests occur each year outside of hospital in the UK, compared to 355,000 in the US. 

Researchers from the University of Amsterdam analysed 5,717 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in one part of the Netherlands between 2006 and 2012.  

They found around 12.5 per cent of women who were resuscitated survived to be discharged from hospital, compared to 20 per cent of men.