The first CPR training course given by Wang Lixiang, an expert in the field of CPR, opens on April 18 in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. [Photo/sxrb.com]

Shanxi opened its first training cardiopulmonary resuscitation course (CPR) in its capital, Taiyuan, on April 18.

Wang Lixiang, an expert in the field of CPR, was invited to teach more than 320 employees from 70 hospitals, colleges and training institutions across the province.

China has seen an increasing number of patients with cardiovascular diseases in recent years with the current number totaling 300 million. Cardiovascular diseases have become the primary cause of death among patients.

At present around 544,000 people have cardiac arrests (CA) each year, which is close to the morbidity of developed countries, while the overall rescue and recovery rate is far lower than developed countries, with the survival rate accounting for only 1 percent.

Thus, CPR skills are an essential element of improving the survivability of cardiac arrests.

Whether people can properly recognize a CA and use CPR as a first aid treatment is vital, according to the director of Shanxi heath and family planning commission.

In order to improve knowledge about first aid, a project themed around CPR education was launched at the opening ceremony of the training course. It's estimated that Shanxi will offer free CPR training to more than 10,000 households by the end of 2017.