Does deep forced coughing during a heart attack prevent damage?

Question

"Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart
attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating
improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only
about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness.

However, these victims can help themselves by coughing
repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should
be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep
and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep
inside the chest.

A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two
seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until
the heart is felt to be beating normally again.
Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing
movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood
circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also
helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart
attack victims can get to a hospital." (Thanks to the author
who put this up in a forum"

Answer 1

I am a paramedic and have witnessed many heart attacks. I can't see this method being of much help.... firstly should the patient breathe and cough every 2 seconds they would cause themselves to hyperventilate, which will make them feel very lightheaded.
Although you don't have to have any chest pain to be having a MI (heart attack) if they do then they are going to be in too much pain to breathe deeply!!

Also the heart doesn't always change its rhythm during a MI, if it is a big MI and the rhythm does change then the only thing that is really going to change it back again is high flow oxygen 100%(humans only inhale 21% oxygen no matter how deep they breathe) and drug therapy from the ambulance crew!!

Answer 2

No. In a heart attack, the only way to save muscle is to restore blood flow by balloon, stent or bypass. A cough can sometimes convert a patient from a bad rhythm to a good one, but it must be done immediately, and someone having a heart attack won't know what their rhythm is.

If you are having a heart attack, take an aspirin and call 9-1-1. That is your best chance of saving your life.

Answer 3

This is an old chesnut. If we are talking about true heart attacks, coughing will not help. If it's just a heart 'beating improperly' for non-serious causes or a 'small' attack, and fainting, deep breathing and resting will usually help. Many people with real heart attacks are unable to breath properly as they will be in great pain and feel an enormous weight on their chest. They need help quickly.

Answer 4

Self-CPR
A form of "self-CPR" termed "Cough CPR" may help a person maintain blood flow to the brain during a heart attack while waiting for medical help to arrive and has been used in a hospital emergency room in cases where "standard CPR" was contraindicated. While this technique is not in widespread use, one researcher has recommended that it be taught broadly to the public. However, the American Heart Association (AHA), does not endorse "Cough CPR", which it terms a misnomer as it is not a recognized form of resuscitation. The AHA does recognize a limited legitimate use of the coughing technique:
This coughing technique to maintain blood flow during brief arrhythmias has been useful in the hospital, particularly during cardiac catheterization. In such cases the patient's ECG is monitored continuously, and a physician is present.
"Cough CPR" was the subject of a hoax chain e-mail entitled "How to Survive a Heart Attack When Alone" which wrongly cited "ViaHealth Rochester General Hospital" as the source of the technique. Rochester General Hospital has denied any connection with the technique.
Short-acting nitroglycerin medications are used for symptomatic relief of angina. An aspirin (75 mg to 100 mg) per day has been shown to be beneficial for all patients with stable angina that have no problems with its use.

Answer 5

I am a nurse and have witnessed many codes and heart attacs. I have never heard of such a crazy idea. A cough does not change v tach. As a matter of fact, the pt in v tach following a heart attac decompensates quickly. I think this is why in all football stadiums, hospitals, big businesses they now have defibrillators on the wall so the heart rythm can be quickly deciphered and treatment with a shock can be given immediately.

Answer 6

Having suffered a heart attack, I would have been incapable of doing this - it's quite painful and distressing to have a heart attack. The best, in my view and my doctors view, thing to be done in the event of a repeat is to dial 999 and take an aspirin. My colleagues invariably saved my life by giving me an aspirin and quickly getting help.

Answer 7

where is the reference...

Answer 8

Yes. This is correct. Thank you for posting it for others to see. The other thing I'd suggest to people is to carry an aspirin. Provided you are not allergic to them and don't have any other restriction on taking them...this is the best thing that can be done if the patient is still conscious.

Answer 9

Sorry, this is asn old wife's tale. The strain of forcing a cough can actually be detremental and could make the situation worse.

Answer 10

yes this's the only way u can help urself safely before the arrival of the ambulance.