In the post, the AHA wrote, "Mustard on the beat... and it could help you save a life with Hands-Only CPR. If you see a teen or adult collapse, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the rhythm of Not Like Us." Dr. Comilla Sasson, a health science executive at the AHA, reinforced the message, explaining, "'Not Like Us' by Kendrick Lamar is 101 beats per minute, the perfect rate for performing compressions. So, turn on that music, hopefully, and practice your CPR compressions. Your hands can save a life." She also emphasized that CPR training is a "critical skill" that can triple a person’s chances of surviving cardiac arrest. "We hope we can turn our nation of bystanders into a nation of lifesavers," Sasson said, according to USA Today.
Kendrick Lamar's diss track is the perfect tempo for CPR, says American Heart Association
After the AHA certified the song, many people hopped on to the trend of performing CPR using it.
Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us may have made headlines as a diss track, but now it’s gaining attention for an entirely different reason. The American Heart Association (AHA) recently highlighted that the song’s 101 beats per minute (BPM) tempo is ideal for performing hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Since the recommended compression rate is between 100-120 BPM, Lamar’s track provides the perfect rhythm to follow during chest compressions. The AHA shared the news in a TikTok post on their official account, @americanheartassociation.
@americanheartassociation Mustard on the beat. And it could help you save a life with Hands-Only CPR. If you see a teen or adult collapse, call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the rhythm of “Not Like Us.” #KendrickLamar #NotLikeUs #NationofLifesavers #CPR #halftime ♬ original sound - American Heart
It has since caught on and gained widespread attention, with many TikTok creators using the song as a tool for demonstrating CPR techniques. For instance, Ivana, a mom and a nurse–who goes by @vanamai on TikTok–posted a video, captioned, "POV: I'm your nurse trying my best to save your life and this is what's through my head" as she performed CPR on a pillow while syncing her compressions to the rhythm of the song.
@vanamai All jokes aside, may this code never find me please 😭😭😭!!!#nursehumor #nurse #registerednurse #bedsidenurse #rn #nightshiftnurse #dayshiftnurse #codeblue #nurseoftiktok #kendricklamar #theynotlikeus #theynotlikeustrend #cpr #americanheartassociation ♬ original sound - Zoe Osama
Similarly, Lindsey Shelton–who goes by @scrubhacks on TikTok–brought her own flair to the challenge, hilariously performing a whole skit on the intro of the song, captioning it, "Your nurse learned a new CPR song." The trend also resonated with viewers, many of whom shared their thoughts online. For instance, in the video shared by @scrubhacks, people left humorous and surprised comments. @cuervo_fist said, "Someone said during 'a minor' is long enough for a pulse check." @heatherpowe276 wrote, "They wake up and the whole room is like 'A minorrrrrrrr' throwing signs and sheeeet." @boderlineprincesss explained, "People don’t think we actually sing or play music during a codeeeeeeeeee… we do." @erinmartin67 commented, "This song came on my playlist while cleaning up a patient the other day. Gam gam was into it though." @bigolfknyeet noted, "You may have single-handedly removed my code anxiety."
Others shared how they use other songs for CPR. @robert.lowitzer shared, "Just did CPR class and got told 'Stayin' Alive' is now considered too slow and to use 'Sweet Home Alabama.' I'm gonna use this song though and see what HR has to say." @weeyoo.wagon quipped, "I prefer 'Baby Shark.' That’s how I direct my compressors during codes (paramedics). It’s 110. A little too fast or a little too slow, you’re still in the 100-120 range. @cassywhite2 added, "Best believe this is the song I’m using next time I’m doing compressions." @paprikapapi01 chimed in, "STAPPP. This is so much better than the Beyonce song!!!! Not the 'Call an ambulance!' lyric."
@scrubhacks 101bpm it’ll do 🫀 @American Heart #nursehumor #nursememe #nursememes #nursecomedy #healthcarehumor #healthcareworker #kendricklamar #notlikeus #cpr #cprsong #icunurse #ernurse ♬ Not Like Us Intro - Music Media
You can follow Ivanna (@vanamai) and Lindsey Shelton (@scrubhacks) on TikTok for more health-related content.
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