This Is How To Survive A Heart Attack If You Are Alone

Do you know what to do when you're alone and have a heart attack? Statistics show that in 80% of deaths from heart attacks, the individual was alone. The following information will help you recognize when you are having a heart attack, and what you can do to stay alive.


 Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack

It's important to discriminate between a heart attack, cardiac arrest and cardiac dysrhythmias. 



A cardiac arrest, is a sudden stop in effective blood circulation due to the failure of the heart to 

contract effectively or at all. A cardiac arrest is different from (but may be caused by) a heart 

attack, where blood flow to the muscle of the heart is impaired.



 A cardiac dysrhythmia is primarily an electrical problem within the heart, and is sometimes 

treated with electrolytes, vagal maneuver, or electrical cardioversion. Many dysrhythmias may 

herald an impending heart attack.



 A heart attack occurs when an occlusion (e.g. blood clot) of an artery in the heart slowly 

causes 

tissue to die. This can result in a sharp pain in the chest that spreads to your arm and jaw, and 

requires immediate medical attention to resolve the occlusion by emergency surgery or cardiac 

clot-busting drugs. 



Some of these symptoms may begin slowly, which enables you to call for help. Other times, 

you 

may only have a short time before you lose consciousness. 



This Technique Helps People Survive Heart Attacks



 Warning: The following procedure should be used by an individual only when there is absolutely no other recourse and only then. 

Start coughing heavily at once! 

Take deep breaths and cough heavy every 2 seconds. Cough constantly and strongly. 

Take a deep breath before each cough. The cough must be deep and prolonged. 

Put pressure on the heart by pressing to help restore normal rhythm (deep breathing brings 

oxygen to the lungs, and body movements during the coughing helps squeezes the heart and 

maintain blood circulation). 


In the meantime, call for help. Keep on coughing while on the phone.

 Obviously, the best way to improve the chances of survival of a heart attack is to prevent it in 

the first place. Achieving or maintaining heart health is essential by keeping active, having 

healthy blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body weight, along with not smoking.


 This information could save your life or a loved one's life, so please share.

Sources: Criley JM, Blaufuss AH, Kissel GL. Cough-Induced Cardiac Compression. JAMA, 1976; 236:1246-1250, American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care. JAMA, 1992; 268(16): 2135-2302. |