There is another internet hoax going around that says if you cough repeatedly and very vigorously known as the “Cough CPR” it can help you survive a heart attack. Well The American Heart Association does not recommend that the public use this method in a situation where there is no medical supervision. It might be beneficial under certain controlled circumstances.
However here are some steps that you can take if your think your having a heart attack.
The most important factor to consider is that you must be prepared. Listen only to advice from medical professionals. Limit your risk. Listen to your doctor and make changes in your lifestyle to lower your chances of a heart attack. Stop smoking, get regular exercise, improve your diet and reduce stress.
Buy a device such as the LifeAlert unit (lifealert.net), which automatically links you to rescue or hospital personnel when you press a button.
What to do
Recognize heart attack symptoms. Shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest, and pain in the neck or radiating down the arms are all associated with an attack.
Pull over if you suffer an attack while driving. You may only have seconds before you lose consciousness. Don’t try to drive to the hospital no matter how close you are.
Call 911 and describe what symptoms you’re feeling and where you are located.
Take an aspirin (325 mg) at the first sign of an attack. Aspirin makes blood platelets less likely to stick to each other, assisting blood flow and reducing clots. Chew it up if no drink is readily available–the time and oxygen you waste in waiting to get a sip of something isn’t worth it when you’re acutely symptomatic.
Take a beta-blocking drug immediately upon feeling an attack. This is a prescription-only drug; if you have a heart condition, you probably already have this medication.
Administer oxygen to yourself. You are likely to have bottled oxygen available only if you have a diagnosed heart condition.
Thump yourself on the chest as hard as possible. This is very effective when administered by someone else but can be hard to do to yourself.
