If You’re Alone During a Possible Heart Attack, Act Immediately
There is no 10-second maneuver or home remedy that can stop a heart attack. The most important action is getting emergency medical help as quickly as possible. www.heart.org+1
What to do
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Call your local emergency number immediately. Don’t wait to see whether the discomfort disappears. Tell the dispatcher you may be having a heart attack and give your exact location. www.heart.org
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Unlock your door if you can do so safely, so responders can reach you quickly.
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Sit down and rest in a comfortable position. Avoid walking around or driving yourself to the hospital.
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Follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
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Aspirin may be appropriate for some adults. Current American Heart Association/American Red Cross guidance says an alert adult with acute, non-traumatic chest pain may chew and swallow 162–325 mg of aspirin while waiting for EMS, unless they have an aspirin allergy or have been told by a healthcare professional not to take it. If there’s any uncertainty, wait for EMS rather than taking it. cpr.heart.org+1
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Don’t rely on “cough CPR.” Repeatedly coughing forcefully is not a recommended treatment for a heart attack.
Know the warning signs
Possible heart-attack symptoms include pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the chest, discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness. Symptoms can be mild or come and go. www.heart.org
If the person becomes unresponsive and isn’t breathing normally or is only gasping, that’s cardiac arrest. Call emergency services and begin CPR; use an AED if one is available. www.heart.org
If this is happening to you right now, stop reading and call your local emergency medical service now.
