HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE > >(Since many
people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, >this article seemed in
order.) > >Without help the person whose heart stops beating
properly 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 phone and, between breaths, >call for help. Tell as many other
people as possible about this, it could >save >their
lives! > >--From Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via
Chapter 240's >newsletter >AND THE BEAT GOES ON... (reprinted from
The Mended Hearts, Inc. >publication, >"Heart
Response") > > > >
