Serious health problems can occur at any time. Do you know what to do when you are alone and having a heart attack?
First, the don’ts.
You may have read advice floating around the internet that if you cough hard during a heart attack, it can help you survive until the ambulance arrives.
There is a real medical practice called cough CPR, but it is only useful during full cardiac arrest, and not necessarily a heart attack. In fact, using this technique during a heart attack can make things significantly worse, and can cause death, before help arrives.
Cough CPR works by increasing the pressure on the chest, just enough to maintain the flow of oxygenated blood. It helps the brain to maintain consciousness in times of danger. In some cases it may be the right thing to do, but you should not be the one to decide whether or not it is the right thing to do. The best thing you can do if you are having a heart attack, when you are alone, is to stay calm and call an ambulance IMMEDIATELY.
If you have a heart attack, you can also take Aspirin as an emergency solution. It will thin your blood and help circulation. But chew the aspirin before swallowing. This helps it get into your system faster. So just know that aspirin and keeping calm will save your life, coughing will surely end it.
