Can Coughing Save Your Life?
I noticed a post circulating across various group pages with advice on how to help yourself if you are having a heart attack, including a recommendation to copy & paste. One of the posts had hundreds of shares, but as skeptical as I am, I didn’t share it right away. Before sharing such information, I wanted to research whether it was accurate or potentially harmful, and I am glad I took the time to check the facts. I have alerted the original poster in one group that the post was spreading false information.
You may have seen these posts circulating online advising you to "cough repeatedly" if you think you're having a heart attack while alone. While this may sound helpful, it is not backed by scientific evidence or supported by reputable medical sources like the American Heart Association (AHA), Canadian Cardiovascular Society, (CCS), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK), Heart Foundation NZ and Heart Foundation Australia. Coughing is not helpful—but this post might be!
The consistent advice across these organizations is to prioritize calling emergency services (e.g., 911, 111, 112, 119, 999, or 000, depending on the country) and following standard first-aid protocols rather than relying on unproven methods. According to the RCUK website, most people experiencing a heart attack will not go into cardiac arrest, and attempting 'cough CPR' may actually make their condition worse.
Why This Cough Advice is Misleading
The advice is based on "cough CPR," a technique sometimes used in specific hospital settings during monitored cardiac arrhythmias. However, this method is not effective or recommended for heart attacks or cardiac arrests outside of a medical environment. Many people mistakenly believe that a heart attack and cardiac arrest are the same thing. However, they are distinct conditions. A heart attack can cause cardiac arrest, but they are not interchangeable terms. Here’s the difference:
Heart Attack: A blockage in blood flow to the heart. Symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea. Coughing doesn’t help in this situation.
Cardiac Arrest: The heart suddenly stops beating, often leading to a loss of consciousness. It can happen suddenly or after other symptoms. Restarting the heart requires immediate CPR or defibrillation, not coughing.
A heart attack needs immediate medical attention, but doesn’t need CPR. If a heart attack leads to a cardiac arrest, it is a critical medical emergency that requires immediate intervention – CPR and an AED. To reiterate, coughing is not an effective remedy and will not help during a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
Heart Attack Symptoms
Heart attack symptoms can vary between men and women. Women may experience less traditional symptoms, so it's important not to dismiss any unusual feelings or discomfort. Both men and women should seek medical help if they experience any of these symptoms, especially if they last more than a few minutes.
For Men:
Chest pain or discomfort - Often described as pressure, tightness, or squeezing.
Pain in the upper body - May radiate to the arms, shoulders, neck, back, or jaw.
Shortness of breath - Difficulty breathing, even when resting.
Cold sweat - Profuse sweating without exertion.
Nausea or lightheadedness - Feeling faint or sick to your stomach.
For Women:
Chest pain or discomfort - Similar to men, but may be less intense or sudden.
Pain in the upper body - Often in the back, neck, or jaw, with less focus on the chest.
Shortness of breath - A sensation of breathlessness or fatigue.
Nausea, vomiting, or indigestion - Sometimes confused with flu-like symptoms.
Lightheadedness or dizziness - A sense of faintness, especially when standing up.
For further details on symptoms and heart attack response, you can consult sources like the American Heart Association or the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
What Should You Do?
If you think you’re having a heart attack:
Call 911 immediately. Don’t wait to see if the symptoms go away.
Chew and swallow an aspirin (if you’re not allergic and haven’t been told to avoid it by your doctor). Aspirin helps thin the blood and may prevent further clotting.
Rest and stay calm while waiting for medical help to arrive.
If someone else is having a heart attack:
Call Emergency Services Immediately
Dial 911 (or your local emergency number) as soon as possible. The faster professional help arrives, the better their chances of survival and recovery.
Encourage Them to Stay Calm and Sit or Lie Down
Have them sit down, rest, and stay calm.
Avoid unnecessary movement or exertion, which could worsen the heart attack.
Give Aspirin (If Appropriate)
If they are not allergic to aspirin and have no contraindications, give them one regular-strength (325 mg) or four low-dose (81 mg) aspirin tablets to chew and swallow. Chewing helps it work faster.
Do not give aspirin if they are bleeding, have a history of ulcers, or if a doctor has advised against it.
Help Them Take Their Heart Medication (If Prescribed)
If they have nitroglycerin prescribed for heart conditions, help them take it as directed (usually under the tongue). Do not give nitroglycerin unless it’s been prescribed for them.
Monitor Their Condition
Look for changes in their symptoms. Are they having difficulty breathing? Do they lose consciousness?
Perform CPR only if Necessary
If they collapse, stop breathing, or lose consciousness:
Call 911 (if not already done).
Start hands-only CPR:
Push hard and fast in the center of their chest (about 2 inches deep, at 100–120 compressions per minute).
Don’t stop until emergency responders arrive or they regain consciousness.
Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available and follow its prompts.
Stay With Them Until Help Arrives
Offer reassurance and stay with the person. Your presence can be comforting and might keep them from panicking.
These steps can save a life.
Quick action and calmness are key in a heart attack emergency.
The Bottom Line
Many of the circulating "home remedies," such as coughing during a heart attack, can do more harm than good. It's essential to recognize the true symptoms of a heart attack and take immediate action. If you're alone and suspect you're experiencing one, the best step is to call emergency services right away. The earlier you seek help, the better the chances of survival.
Coughing repeatedly during a heart attack has not been endorsed by any reputable health organizations as an effective treatment. Rather than relying on methods like this, which have not been proven to save lives, focus on getting professional medical assistance as quickly as possible. Trusted sources like the American Heart Association offer up-to-date information on how to respond to a heart attack. In times of health emergencies, always follow expert advice to ensure your safety and well-being.
Share this information with others to clear up the misinformation!
Share this with friends and family to spread accurate, life-saving advice!
Proverbs 4:7
"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."
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