That “do this in 10 seconds and save your life” claim is misleading. There is no breathing or coughing trick that can reliably stop a heart attack. “Cough CPR,” often promoted online, is not recommended for someone having a heart attack.
If you think you’re having a heart attack, the most important actions are:
- Call your local emergency medical service immediately. Don’t drive yourself to the hospital.
- Stop what you’re doing and sit or lie somewhere safe.
- If you have prescribed nitroglycerin, take it exactly as directed.
- Aspirin may be appropriate for some adults with suspected heart attack, but it isn’t safe for everyone. If emergency personnel advise you to take it, or you have previously been told by your doctor that you should use aspirin for this situation, follow that advice. Don’t delay the emergency call to find aspirin.
- If you become unconscious and aren’t breathing normally, someone nearby should call emergency services and begin CPR; an AED should be used if available.
🚨 Don’t wait for severe pain
Heart attacks can cause pressure, squeezing or discomfort in the chest, but symptoms can also include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, unusual weakness, or pain in the arm, back, neck or jaw. Older adults may sometimes have less typical symptoms.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms right now, please treat it as an emergency and call for medical help immediately.
