If You Think You’re Having a Heart Attack at Home: What to Do Immediately
There is no 10-second trick that can stop a heart attack. The most important action is to recognize the possibility of a heart attack and get emergency medical help immediately.
1. Call Emergency Services Immediately
If you develop symptoms such as pressure, squeezing, or pain in the chest—especially with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or discomfort spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw—call your local emergency number right away.
Don’t wait to see whether the symptoms disappear.
2. Stop What You’re Doing
Sit down and rest somewhere safe. Avoid walking around, exercising, or driving yourself to the hospital. If you’re alone, unlock the door so emergency responders can reach you and keep your phone nearby.
3. Follow Emergency Medical Advice
If an emergency dispatcher or healthcare professional tells you to take a medication such as aspirin, follow their instructions and make sure you have no known reason to avoid it. Do not take someone else’s prescription heart medication.
4. Don’t Rely on Coughing or Other Internet “Tricks”
Claims that forceful coughing, drinking water, breathing in a particular way, or performing another action for a few seconds can stop a heart attack are not reliable treatments. A heart attack requires professional medical assessment and treatment.
If the Person Becomes Unresponsive
If someone becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, call emergency services and begin CPR if you know how, following the dispatcher’s instructions. Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available and you are trained or guided to use it.
The key “10-second” action is recognizing that something may be seriously wrong and calling for emergency help without delay.
