Fact Check: Can coughing loudly stop heart attack immediately?
An Instagram reel claims that coughing loudly with long breaths cures heart attack immediately. The claim by the user is FALSE.
Claim
In an Instagram reel, it is claimed that coughing loudly with long breaths cures heart attack immediately. In the reel by millionaire_thought_community it is said, "If someone is alone at home and suddenly has a heart attack, how can they survive? If sudden chest pain starts and the pain extends from the left arm to the jaws, it could be a heart attack. In such a situation, if no one is present to help you or the hospital is far away, you can help yourself. Immediately start coughing forcefully and take a deep breath before each cough. Doing this will provide oxygen to your lungs."
The reel can be accessed here.
What is Heart Attack?
As per the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), “A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, happens when the flow of blood that brings oxygen to a part of your heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can’t get enough oxygen. If blood flow is not restored quickly, the heart muscle will begin to die.”
Dr. Pradeep Kumar D, Senior Consultant - Cardiology, Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur in a conversation with our team said, "A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a condition where the blood supply to the heart is abruptly cut off. This usually occurs due to the rupture of a plaque and the formation of a blood clot within the coronary arteries. Once the blood supply is completely interrupted, it leads to damage of the heart muscle, resulting in a weakening of the heart and causing chest pain. In some cases, it may lead to rhythm disturbances or even sudden cardiac arrest. If left untreated, a heart attack can lead to long-term complications, such as the development of a weak heart and eventually heart failure. It's important to note that a heart attack and cardiac arrest are not the same. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked and causes muscle damage. On the other hand, cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops beating, either due to a very fast rhythm (ventricular fibrillation), a slow rhythm (bradycardia), or complete stopping of the heart (asystole). Cardiac arrest can be caused by various conditions like severe infections, pulmonary embolism, or a stroke. While a heart attack may or may not lead to cardiac arrest, cardiac arrest can happen due to many other underlying causes.
Dr. Kumar Kenchappa, Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist at Manipal Hospital Hebbal also explained, "A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a condition where the blood supply to the heart, specifically the coronary arteries, becomes suddenly obstructed or blocked. This blockage prevents blood from reaching the heart muscles, compromising their function. As a result, the heart muscle begins to suffer damage. The obstruction is often caused by a plaque rupture and blood clot formation, leading to weakened heart muscles and chest pain. In some cases, heart attacks can cause rhythm disturbances or sudden cardiac arrest. If untreated, a heart attack can lead to long-term complications, including heart failure."
What are the Risk Factors Associated with Heart Attack?
Several lifestyle and health factors influence heart attack risk. An unhealthy diet high in saturated fats or sodium, lack of regular physical activity, and smoking are significant contributors. Medical conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure (including during pregnancy), high blood sugar or diabetes, high triglycerides, and obesity also increase the risk. When three or more of these conditions occur together, it is called metabolic syndrome, which significantly raises the risk of a heart attack. Uncontrollable factors include age (with increased risk for men over 45 and women over 55 or after menopause), family history of early heart disease, and infections from bacteria and viruses.
What is the Incidence of heart attacks in India?
Heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions (MI), are a major health concern in India. Recent data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicates a significant 12.5% rise in heart attack cases in 2022, with 32,457 deaths, up from 28,413 in 2024.
What is cough CPR?
Cough CPR refers to a technique where a person experiencing a cardiac event is instructed to cough forcefully and repeatedly to maintain blood circulation and consciousness. It has been suggested in some sources as a self-rescue method for heart attacks. However, leading medical organizations, including the British Heart Foundation, the British Resuscitation Council, and the American Heart Association, do not recommend cough CPR for heart attack treatment. This method is only used in specific, monitored medical settings under professional supervision for certain arrhythmias, not for heart attacks. Instead, individuals experiencing heart attack symptoms should seek emergency medical help immediately.
Can coughing loudly with long breaths cure heart attack immediately?
There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to back the claim that coughing loudly with long breaths cures heart attack immediately. On the contrary, the British Heart Foundation and the American Heart Association have cautioned against this technique. Therefore, the user's claim is FALSE.
The American Heart Association does not endorse "cough CPR," a procedure widely publicized on the internet. The association further said, "Cough CPR should not be taught in lay-rescuer CPR courses because it's generally not useful outside the hospital."
In an article published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine of Kazakhstan stated, "The British Heart Foundation, the British Resuscitation Board, and the American Heart Association issued recommendations against the use of cough CPR for heart attack conditions."
An article by the British Heart Foundation stated that no medical evidence supports its effectiveness. "There is no medical evidence to support ‘cough CPR’, which suggests you can help yourself by coughing vigorously if you think you’re having a heart attack and are alone." The Foundation also addressed the spread of such videos, stating that the ‘cough CPR’ myth has been circulating online, particularly on social media platforms, and said, "The ‘cough CPR’ myth has been circulating the internet for a while now, especially on social media sites such as Facebook. If you come across it, please avoid spreading it any further and consider letting the person who posted it know that there’s no truth in it."
Therefore, no scientific evidence or medical consensus supports coughing loudly with deep breaths as an emergency treatment for heart attacks. On the contrary, medical associations and experts have cautioned against this technique.
In a conversation with Dr. Pradeep Kumar D, Senior Consultant - Cardiology, Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur he said, "Coughing loudly with long breaths cannot cure a heart attack immediately. Coughing does not prevent or stop the cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms) caused by a heart attack. Coughing is sometimes used in very specific situations, such as in cardiac catheterization procedures, for patients who experience a sudden drop in blood pressure due to vasovagal syncope (a condition where there is a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate). In such cases, coughing may help improve blood pressure temporarily, but it is not effective in treating a heart attack or preventing cardiac arrest. Immediate medical attention is required to treat a heart attack, as coughing alone cannot address the underlying issue or reverse heart muscle damage."
Dr. Kumar Kenchappa, Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist at Manipal Hospital Hebbal further said, "Coughing loudly or taking long breaths does not cure a heart attack immediately. This is a common myth. While coughing or taking deep breaths may sometimes help revert an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that can occur during a heart attack, it does not prevent or reverse the heart attack itself. If a person has suffered a heart attack, they need immediate medical intervention, which may include the administration of blood thinners, anticoagulants, and an angiogram to locate and clear the blockage. Relying on coughing or long breaths is a false claim and can be dangerous, as it may give the public the false belief that these actions will save someone during a heart attack. It is critical to seek proper medical care to treat a heart attack."
Health Dialogues Final Take
The claim that coughing loudly with deep breaths can cure a heart attack immediately is false. There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support it. In fact, the British Heart Foundation, the American Heart Association, and medical experts have warned against this technique. It is crucial to seek immediate medical help in the event of a heart attack.
Hence, the claim by the user is FALSE.