How to Stop a Heart Attack: Prevention When You're Alone and More (2024)

If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 right away. Although you can't stop a heart attack, getting help quickly can reduce the risk of complications and reduce the chance of a heart attack in the first stages. place.

Many people worry about having a heart attack during their lifetime, and for good reason: It is estimated that one American will have a heart attack every time.40 seconds.

Although a heart attack can be fatal,tens of thousands of Americanssurvive a heart attack every year.

Act quickly if you suspect oneheart attackcomes can significantly increase your chances of survival.

Typically, heart attacks start slowly with only mild discomfort and pain, providing warning signs before they strike. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call 911 or have someone call 911 immediately.

These could be signs of a heart attack:

  • Chest discomfort, especially in 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 parts of the upper body, such as arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.This may feel like pain or general discomfort.
  • Shortness of breath.This may be accompanied by or without chest discomfort.
  • Unusual sensations such as cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness or lightheadedness.Women are more likely than men to experience these types of symptoms.

1. Have someone call an ambulance

If there are others nearby, tell them to stay with you until emergency medical personnel (EMS) arrive. Calling 911 is usually the fastest way to get emergency help, as opposed to asking someone to drive you to a hospital. EMS workers are trained to resuscitate people having a heart attack and can also transport you to the hospital for quick treatment.

If you are in a public space such as a shop, school, library or workplace, there is a good chance that an AED is at hand.

A defibrillator is the type of device that ambulance personnel use to resuscitate people who have had a heart attack. If you are still conscious when your heart attack begins, instruct someone nearby to find the nearest defibrillator. AEDs come with easy-to-use instructions, so it's possible for a non-EMS worker to revive you if the heart attack strikes.

2. Tag aspirine

While you are still conscious, take a regular dose of aspirin (325 milligrams) if you have one on hand. Aspirin works by slowing the blood's ability to clot. During a heart attack, aspirin slows blood clotting and minimizes the size of clots that may have formed.

When the ambulance service arrives, they will take you to the hospital where you will be treated for the specific type of heart attack you have had.

Read more about treatments for different types of heart attacks.

If you are alone and experience any of the above heart attack symptoms, call 911 immediately. Take aspirin if you have it on hand. Then unlock your front door and lie down close to it so that the ambulance crew can easily find you.

No, there is no quick way to stop a heart attack without seeking emergency medical treatment at a hospital. You can find many "quick" treatments for heart attacks online. However, these "quick" treatments are ineffective and can be dangerous because they delay emergency medical treatment.

Cough resuscitation

One type of treatment available online is called Cough CPR. Some online sources claim that taking a deep breath and then coughing deeply can raise your blood pressure for a second or two. Sources say this can bring more blood to your brain. The claim also says that if your heart is beating normally, a deep cough can bring it back to normal.

GentlemenAmerican Heart Associationdoes not approve cough CPR. First of all, it cannot be used to treat someone who is unresponsive because he or she cannot cough.

Water and cayenne pepper

Another online recommendation that is not effective is to drink a glass of water with a spoonful of cayenne pepper in it. Some people say that cayenne pepper is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and transport blood throughout the body, balancing the balance. circulation. Some claim that cayenne pepper can stop bleeding immediately.

However, there is no evidence that cayenne pepper or any other type of pepper is helpful when taken at the onset of a heart attack. Additionally, it's not yet clear how capsaicin might interact with aspirin if taken during a heart attack — and experts know that aspirin is helpful.

While you can't control all your risk factors for a heart attack, such as aging, gender (men are at higher risk), and heredity, there are some you can control. To prevent your risk of heart attack:

  • Quit smoking and minimize your exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Get your high cholesterol and high blood pressure under control by changing your diet, losing weight, taking medications, or doing a combination of these things.
  • Stay physically active every day.
  • Control your weight if you are overweight or obese.
  • If you have diabetes, be careful to stick to your treatment plan and keep your blood sugar levels under control.
  • Get a handle on the stress in your life by practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga, or try talk therapy.
  • Limit your alcohol consumption.
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet, rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals.
How to Stop a Heart Attack: Prevention When You're Alone and More (2024)
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