There is a viral internet myth known as **”Cough CPR”**—which falsely claims that taking deep breaths and coughing forcefully every two seconds during a heart attack can keep your heart beating until help arrives. **Medical experts and the American Heart Association strongly advise against this.** Coughing vigorously will not stop a heart attack and wastes critical seconds that should be spent calling emergency medical services.
If you are alone at home and suspect you are having a heart attack, the following immediate, evidence-based steps can save your life:
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### Step-by-Step Emergency Protocol
1. **Call Emergency Services Immediately (e.g., 911 / 1122):** The single most important step.
Call emergency services right away. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital or wait to see if the symptoms pass. Emergency medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment the moment they arrive.
2. **Chew and Swallow One Adult Aspirin (325 mg):** Slows blood clotting in the coronary arteries.
Unless you are severely allergic to aspirin or have been explicitly told by a doctor never to take it, **chew** a full-dose adult aspirin (325 mg) or four low-dose baby aspirins (81 mg each). **Chewing the tablet—rather than swallowing it whole—allows it to enter your bloodstream in minutes to help prevent the blood clot in your heart from expanding.**
3. **Unlock Your Front Door:** Ensures first responders can reach you fast.
Unlock your front door and turn on your porch light. If you lose consciousness, paramedics need to be able to enter your home immediately without breaking down the door or losing crucial minutes.
4. **Sit Down on the Floor in a Safe Position:** Reduces strain on the heart muscle.
Sit down on the floor with your back supported by a wall or sturdy furniture, keeping your knees bent. Resting reduces the oxygen workload on your heart, and sitting on the floor prevents head injury if you faint.
5. **Stay Calm and Rest Completely:** Keep your heart rate as low as possible.
Avoid walking around, gathering belongings, or doing any physical exertion. Take slow, deep breaths to keep your nervous system as calm as possible while waiting for responders.
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### Key Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Do not ignore these classic and atypical warning signs:
* **Chest Discomfort:** Pressure, squeezing, fullness, or a crushing pain in the center or left side of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
* **Radiating Pain:** Discomfort spreading to the **left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, back, or stomach**.
* **Shortness of Breath:** Difficulty breathing, with or without chest discomfort.
* **Cold Sweats & Lightheadedness:** Sudden unexplained sweating, dizziness, or a feeling of impending doom.
* **Atypical Symptoms (Common in Women & Seniors):** Severe unexplained fatigue, sudden nausea, vomiting, or indigestion-like pain rather than classic sharp chest pain.
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### What NOT to Do During a Heart Attack
| Action | Why It Is Dangerous |
| — | — |
| **DO NOT try “Cough CPR”** | Forceful coughing does not restore blood flow to a blocked coronary artery and increases physical exhaustion. |
| **DO NOT drive yourself to the hospital** | If you lose consciousness behind the wheel, you risk a fatal crash. Ambulances carry defibrillators, oxygen, and cardiac medications. |
| **DO NOT delay calling for help** | Damage to the heart muscle occurs within minutes of a blocked artery. “Door-to-balloon time” (reopening the artery) is critical. |
