Can You Stop a Heart Attack Once It Starts?

Have you ever heard that home remedies like “cough CPR” can stop a heart attack as it’s happening?

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but that’s a myth — and so is every other claim that you can nip a heart attack in the bud after it begins.

A heart attack results from a lack of blood flow to your heart. This is usually due to coronary artery blockages. Without a steady supply of blood (and the oxygen it carries), areas of your heart muscle can start to die. The longer a heart attack goes on, the worse the damage. That’s why you might hear the phrase, “Time is muscle.” Every minute matters.

While a quick fix at home might sound appealing, it’s simply not possible. You need medical intervention right away.

Cardiologist Andrew Higgins, MD, explains what to do and what not to do if you think you or someone is having a heart attack.

What to do

If you have heart attack symptoms, the most important thing you can do is seek medical attention. Symptoms vary by person, but they often include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea and profuse sweating. 

“Time is critical,” Dr. Higgins stresses. “The sooner you get treatment, the better the chance of survival and less damage to your heart.”

Here’s what to do if you think you’re having a heart attack:

1. Call 911/emergency services: “Contact emergency services immediately,” Dr. Higgins states. If you live in North America, dial 911. If you live elsewhere or are traveling, make sure you know the right emergency services number to call. Stay on the phone until help arrives.
2. Take nitroglycerin or aspirin: If you have a nitroglycerin prescription, take it while you wait. If not, chew 325 milligrams of aspirin (but only if you’re sure you don’t have an allergy). This can help reduce heart damage, but it won’t stop a heart attack.

What about if you’re with someone who’s having a heart attack?

“The recommendations don’t change,” Dr. Higgins says. “Activation of emergency services is still the crucial first step. You need care at a hospital, and you need it fast.”

Only a healthcare provider can restore blood flow to your heart, effectively stopping a heart attack. This often requires a procedure, like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary bypass grafting (CABG).

We can’t emphasize this enough: You can’t stop a heart attack on your own. 

What NOT to do

If you or someone you’re with is having a heart attack, do NOT:

• Drive to the hospital: Even if you’re feeling OK or are with someone who can drive you, it’s important to call for an ambulance instead. Emergency personnel can begin treatment immediately, especially if you have complications during the ride.
• Automatically perform CPR: CPR is appropriate for cardiac arrest, which a heart attack may trigger, but not for a heart attack on its own. Only do CPR on someone who is unresponsive and doesn’t have a pulse.
• Attempt cough CPR: “You can’t cough away a heart attack,” Dr. Higgins emphasizes. “Don’t waste precious minutes trying. Cough CPR has very limited use in a hospital setting only.”
• Drink water with cayenne pepper: Despite what you may have heard, there’s no evidence that cayenne pepper stops a heart attack. Cayenne contains capsaicin, which has some health benefits, but stopping a heart attack isn’t one of them.

Bottom line

If you think there’s even a chance you’re having a heart attack, call for help. It’s important to act fast.

“When you suspect a heart attack, don’t delay calling for help in hopes of the symptoms resolving on their own,” Dr. Higgins reinforces. “Such delays increase the risk of severe heart damage or death.”

As with any health issue, knowledge is power. Learning as much as you can about heart disease and the early warning signs of a heart attack can help you make that call without delay.