Imagine you’re home alone. Suddenly, an intense pressure crushes your chest, as if something enormous were pressing down on it. Cold sweat runs down your back, you struggle to breathe, and dizziness sets in. In moments like these, every second counts.
A heart attack doesn’t give warning. And when it happens, many people lose their lives not because there was no solution, but because they didn’t know how to react in time.
The difference between surviving and not surviving often comes down to what you do in the first few minutes.
This article presents three emergency techniques that have helped real people stay conscious and buy time until medical help arrives.
What a heart attack is and why it happens
A heart attack occurs when an artery that supplies oxygen to the heart becomes blocked. Without oxygen, the heart muscle begins to die within minutes, and the heart can slip into an irregular rhythm or stop altogether.
Most common symptoms
Chest pain or pressure
Pain radiating to the arm, back, neck, or jaw
Cold sweat
Nausea
Dizziness or feeling faint
Shortness of breath
If you are alone and these symptoms appear, there is no time to wait. You must act.
Technique 1: Strong, controlled coughing
This technique helps maintain circulation and stimulate the heart when symptoms begin.
How to do it:
Take a deep breath.
Close your mouth.
Cough forcefully from the chest, as if trying to expel something stuck.
Repeat every 2 seconds for 1 minute.
Why it works:
Coughing creates pressure inside the chest, pushing blood toward the heart and brain, which can help maintain the heart’s rhythm.
Common mistakes:
Coughing too lightly
Not inhaling beforehand
Losing the rhythm
Technique 2: A precise strike to the center of the chest
This is used when coughing is no longer enough and dizziness is severe.
How to do it:
Make a fist.
Locate the center of your chest, between the nipples.
Use the bottom part of your fist.
Strike firmly and sharply, once per second, 5 or 6 times.
Why it works:
Part of the heart’s electrical system runs through this area. The impact may help reset the rhythm during a severe arrhythmia.
Precautions:
Do not strike too hard
Do not do it more than 6 times
Do not use if there are fractures or injuries
Technique 3: EGU point (acupressure)
This point is located between the thumb and index finger. It helps reduce anxiety, improve circulation, and stabilize heart rhythm.
How to do it:
Locate the soft spot between the thumb and index finger.
Press firmly for 5 seconds.
Release for 2 seconds.
Repeat for 1 minute on each hand, breathing deeply.
Why it works:
It stimulates the nervous system, improves blood flow, and reduces stress, helping the heart during a crisis.
What to do during a heart attack if you’re alone
Cough forcefully for 1 minute.
If the pain continues, apply the chest strike.
Press the EGU point.
Call emergency services as soon as you can.
If you feel dizzy, lie down to prevent falling.
Five habits that protect your heart
Walk for 20 minutes every day.
Practice deep breathing for 2 minutes daily.
Eat fish, fruits, and vegetables regularly.
Avoid smoking and alcohol.
Check your blood pressure weekly.
A heart attack doesn’t always offer second chances. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make the difference between life and death. Preparing today is a decision that could save your life tomorrow.