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Can You Survive a heart attack?
What to do if you think you're experiencing a heart attack?
How long does it take to recover from a heart attack?
Sep 18, 2021 · Method 1. Take Action. 1. Stop what you’re doing, especially if you’re driving or exercising. If you’re driving and think you may be having a heart attack, pull off the road right away. The risk of losing consciousness and getting into a serious accident is too great.
Sep 2, 2003 · Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. Advertisement: The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal...
Jul 6, 2021 · Surviving a Heart Attack When You Are Alone. Updated July 06, 2021. Share: When no one is around to see your distress, it's important to know the signs of a heart attack and when to seek immediate medical care.
- Overview
- What should you do if you think you’re having a heart attack?
- What should you do if you think you’re having a heart attack when you’re alone?
- Is there a fast way to stop a heart attack?
- How to decrease risk factors associated with a heart attack
If you think you’re having a heart attack call 911 immediately. While you can’t stop a heart attack, you can get help fast, lower your risk of complications, and reduce your chances of having a heart attack in the first place.
Many people worry about experiencing a heart attack in their lifetime, and with good reason: it’s estimated that an American has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
Even though a heart attack can be deadly, tens of thousands of Americans survive heart attacks every year.
Acting quickly when you suspect a heart attack is coming on can greatly improve your chances for survival.
Most of the time, heart attacks start slowly with just mild discomfort and pain, giving warning signs before they strike. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call 911 or ask someone to call 911 immediately.
These could be signs of a heart attack:
•Discomfort in the chest, especially the center, that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes. The discomfort may feel like heaviness, fullness, squeezing, or pain.
•Discomfort in the upper body parts such as the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. This may feel like pain or general discomfort.
•Shortness of breath. This may come with or without chest discomfort.
•Unusual sensations such as a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, or dizziness. Women are more likely than men to experience these kinds of symptoms.
If you’re alone and experience any of the above heart attack symptoms, call 911 right away. Take aspirin if you have it on hand. Then, unlock your front door and lie down near it, so EMS workers can easily find you.
Cough CPR
One type of treatment found online is called cough CPR. Some online sources claim that breathing deeply, and then coughing deeply, can raise your blood pressure for a second or two. Sources say this can deliver more blood to your brain. The claim also says that if your heart is beating normally, a deep cough may be able to set it back to normal. But the American Heart Association does not endorse cough CPR. First of all, it can’t be used to treat an unresponsive person because they cannot cough.
Water and cayenne pepper
Another online recommendation that’s not effective is to drink a glass of water with a spoonful of cayenne pepper in it. Some people say cayenne pepper is a stimulant capable of increasing the heart rate and carrying blood all over the body, balancing circulation. Some claim that cayenne pepper can stop bleeding instantly. There is no proof, however, that cayenne pepper or other types of pepper are useful when taken at the onset of a heart attack. What’s more, it’s not understood how capsaicin might interact with aspirin when taken during a heart attack — and experts know that aspirin is helpful.
While you can’t control all your heart attack risk factors, such as aging, gender (men are at higher risk), and heredity, there are some that you can control. To prevent your risk of a heart attack:
•Stop smoking and minimize your exposure to secondhand smoke.
•Get your high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure under control by modifying your diet, losing weight, taking medication, or doing a combination of these things.
•Stay physically active daily.
•Control your weight if you’re overweight or obese.
•If you have diabetes, take care by sticking to your treatment plan and managing your blood sugar.
Jun 12, 2019 · Health Topics. How to survive a heart attack when you’re alone. By: My Vanderbilt Health. June 12, 2019. The first few hours after a heart attack are critical. Learn about heart attack warning signs and what to do if symptoms strike when you’re alone.
Jan 12, 2024 · Getting help immediately, taking an aspirin, and guaranteeing access to the paramedics by opening the front door in warm or mild weather when indoors can significantly help...
May 27, 2024 · 1. Follow professional medical advice after the heart attack. When you survive a heart attack, it is essential to follow your doctor's advice for recovery, both in the days immediately following the occurrence and over the long term. There is a good chance you will be prescribed medication to reduce blood clotting.
