If this is the viral “10-second heart attack at home” advice, be careful: there is no 10-second trick that can stop or cure a heart attack.
What you should actually do
-
Call your local emergency medical service immediately. Do not wait to see whether the pain goes away, and don’t drive yourself to the hospital. www.heart.org+1
-
Sit down and rest, avoiding physical exertion while waiting for help. www.heart.org
-
If you’re an alert adult with suspected heart-attack chest pain, aspirin may be appropriate if you are not allergic to aspirin and have not been told by a healthcare professional to avoid it. Current AHA/Red Cross guidance allows 162–325 mg to be chewed and swallowed while awaiting EMS. If you’re uncertain, wait for EMS advice. cpr.heart.org
-
If the person collapses, is unresponsive and isn’t breathing normally, this is cardiac arrest: call emergency services, start hands-only CPR (hard and fast chest compressions), and use an AED if available. cpr.heart.org+1
-
Do not rely on “cough CPR.” The American Heart Association specifically says forceful coughing does not treat a heart attack and is not recommended. www.heart.org
Typical warning signs include pressure/squeezing or pain in the chest, pain spreading to the arm, back, neck or jaw, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness. www.heart.org
If you or someone with you is having these symptoms right now, call your local emergency number now rather than continuing to read.
