3 Ways to Stay Alive During a Heart Attack

While many articles focus on heart attack prevention and recovery, very few focus on ways to stay alive if you are in the middle of one. With adrenaline pumping through your veins it can difficult to think clearly and make the right decisions why you are fighting for your life.

1) Recognize You are Having a Heart Attack
It might seem like common sense, but by the time most people realize they are having a heart attack it is past the point of no return. Chest pain, shortness of breath, and feeling faint are the biggest warning signs of a heart attack. Once you begin feeling faint you only have about ten seconds of consciousness left before you are out cold. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step in survival.

2) Coughing
Believe it or not coughing helps to squeeze your heart and keep blood circulating. Every couple seconds take a deep breath to get oxygen in your lungs and cough vigorously. Deep breathing and coughing can save your life if you are by yourself. It will buy you time to get to a phone and call 911.

3) Remove Restrictive Clothing or Jewlery
During a heart attack every second counts which is why it is important to remove any restrictive clothing or jewelry so the paramedics can give you immediate assistance without any obstacles. If someone is with you it is best for them to assist you with this as you probably will be to weak and anxious to focus on removing clothes.

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The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.