A sudden pressure or pain in the chest can be frightening, especially if you are home alone. Social media has circulated many “10-second” techniques that supposedly stop or reverse a heart attack, including forceful coughing, repeatedly taking deep breaths, drinking water, changing body position, or performing certain movements.
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These tricks can create a dangerous delay.
If you think you may be having a heart attack, the most important action is not a breathing trick, coughing technique, or homemade remedy. It is getting emergency medical help immediately.
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A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle becomes blocked. The longer the heart muscle remains without enough oxygen, the greater the potential damage.
That is why recognizing symptoms and acting quickly matter.
The First Thing to Do: Call Emergency Services
If you have symptoms that could indicate a heart attack, call your local emergency medical service immediately.
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Do not wait several minutes to see whether the pain disappears.
Do not search social media for another treatment.
Do not attempt to drive yourself to a hospital if emergency medical transportation is available.
Emergency medical professionals can begin assessment and treatment while transporting you, and they can respond if your condition suddenly worsens.
When you make the call, clearly explain that you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to your heart.
Give your location as accurately as possible.
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If you are alone, put the phone on speaker so you can communicate with the emergency operator while keeping your hands free.
What Does a Heart Attack Feel Like?
A heart attack doesn’t always look like the dramatic chest-clutching scene often shown in movies.
Symptoms can vary considerably.
Common warning signs include:
Pressure or discomfort in the center of the chest
A squeezing or heavy sensation
Chest pain that lasts several minutes
Pain that disappears and then returns
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Nausea
Lightheadedness
Unusual weakness or fatigue
Discomfort in one or both arms
Pain in the back
Pain in the neck or jaw
Discomfort in the upper abdomen
Some people experience relatively mild symptoms.
Others experience severe pain.
Some people, particularly older adults and people with diabetes, may have less typical symptoms.
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This is why you shouldn’t wait for a “classic” heart attack.
What Is the Viral “10-Second Trick”?
One version of the viral claim suggests that a person experiencing a heart attack should repeatedly cough forcefully or perform a special breathing technique.
This is sometimes called “cough
It sounds convincing because coughing temporarily changes pressure inside the chest.
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However, the idea that a person can reliably stop a heart attack by forcefully coughing is not supported as a recommended treatment.
A heart attack and cardiac arrest are also two different emergencies.
Understanding that difference is extremely important.
Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart becomes blocked.
The heart usually continues beating during a heart attack.
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Cardiac arrest is different.
During cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively because of an electrical problem. The person typically becomes unconscious and does not breathe normally.
A heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, but most heart attacks do not immediately cause cardiac arrest.
This distinction explains why “cough CPR” is not an appropriate substitute for emergency treatment.
If you are conscious and experiencing possible heart attack symptoms, your priority is to call emergency services.
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If another person has collapsed, is unresponsive, and is not breathing normally, that is a cardiac-arrest emergency requiring CPR and, when available, an automated external defibrillator.
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