If this is referring to the viral “10-second heart attack trick,” be careful: there is no breathing, coughing, drinking, or body-position technique that can reliably stop a heart attack.
If you think you’re having a heart attack at home:
- Call emergency medical services immediately. Don’t wait to see if it passes.
- Stop what you’re doing and sit or lie somewhere safe.
- Unlock the door if you’re alone and can do so safely, and keep your phone nearby.
- If a clinician has previously prescribed nitroglycerin for you, use it exactly as instructed.
- Chew aspirin only if emergency medical professionals advise you to do so and you aren’t allergic or at risk of dangerous bleeding.
- If you become unconscious and aren’t breathing normally, someone nearby should start CPR and use an AED if available.
Don’t drive yourself to the hospital. Emergency medical teams can begin treatment on the way.
If you’re having chest pressure/pain, shortness of breath, cold sweating, nausea, fainting, or pain spreading to your arm, back, neck, or jaw right now, call your local emergency service now.
