In social networks, instructions are distributed on how to help yourself at the first signs of a heart attack, if the hospital is far away. For this, it is proposed to learn a special coughing method. We decided to check if there are scientific evidence of the effectiveness of this method.

Instructions under name "In the case of a heart attack, you have only ten seconds" actively distributes software social networks. It describes the “correct cough” methodology, which can supposedly save life with a heart attack if there is no way to contact the medical institution. This instruction can be found in the media: “Coughing is a new remedy for a heart attack” ("Vesti.ru") or “Three rules, how to save a life with a heart attack without drugs” ("Komsomolskaya Pravda").

In order to deal with the described mechanism of action of the methodology of the correct cough, you must first understand how the heart works. As we know from school biology lessons, heart - This is a hollow muscle organ, pumping blood. The heart cavity consists of two atria and two ventricles. The heart is nourished by blood vessels called coronary. They are quite narrow and therefore prone atherosclerosis (deposition of cholesterol plaques) and stenosis (persistent narrowing of the lumen). Stenosis can lead to development coronary heart disease (IBS). These pathologies are the most common reasons myocardial infarction, among the people famous Like a heart attack. Much less often, a heart attack occurs due to a sharp spasm of coronary vessels. His, in turn, can provoke taking some narcotic substances or severe stress (Syndrome Takotsubo, known as the people as a broken heart syndrome). Also, a heart attack can occur due to stratification The walls of the coronary arteries, but this pathology is observed relatively rarely.

Basic Symptoms infarction - pain or discomfort in the middle or left of the chest, in some cases a burning or pressure can be felt in this area. Also, the patient can complain about shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweat, a rapid heartbeat, weakness, dizziness and a sense of anxiety. However, sometimes the clinical picture may be different - the pain can be localized in other areas (for example, in areas of the stomach) or absent at all (the so -called Quiet heart attack).

First aid In case of heart attack, call an ambulance, help the patient take a comfortable position, weaken the tightening clothes, give the necessary medicines*, and in the case of loss of consciousness and breathing stop, conduct cardiovo and reducing resuscitation (SLR). Traditionally SLR consists of From compressions (pressure on the chest) and artificial respiration. However, in case of assistance to a stranger and not having at hand special valve for artificial respiration, permissible carry out only compression.

It is compressions for the CD that should replace a rhythmic cough. This technique Offered Tadeusz Petles, Polish cardiologist, employee of the Cardiology Clinic of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice. He taught 115 of his patients who had previously lost consciousness due to heart problems to cough according to a certain algorithm. According to a specialist at a meeting of the European Cardiological Organization in 2003, in 365 cases when these volunteers thought that they were about to faint, they used this methodology. As a result, the symptoms disappeared in 292 cases, and 73 patients needed the help of medical specialists. Based on these data, the cardiologist concluded that the cough is working and replacing the CD.

However, the study of the Polish cardiologist has significant methodological flaws. Firstly, there was no control group-for example, one that would cough in arbitrary order or perform some other actions. Secondly, No datathat in all 365 cases, in patients of the loop, a heart attack or pre -infarction arrhythmia really occurred. Mortality for myocardial infarction It is On average 30%. And if you believe the author of the author, mortality when using coughing was literally 0%. In general, mortality in heart attack depends From the age of the patient (the cardiologist did not report anything about his volunteers), the localization of damage (he also did not provide these data), as well as concomitant diseases (which he also said nothing). Thirdly, the cough cannot replace the CLR or in another way to force the heart to shrink. Checking it is quite simple. Chest compression at CD should Make 5-6 cm in an adult. If you stand in front of the mirror and try to cough (just do not abuse), you can see if the necessary puffing of the chest occurs. Obviously, no. Moreover, one of the main Indications To the SLR is a lack of consciousness. It is logical that, having lost consciousness, it will not work to cough. Moreover, frequent breathing proposed in the instructions (every two seconds) will most likely lead to hyperventilationwhich will first cause dizziness, and then the loss of consciousness.

Different authoritative Medical Organizations categorically Not recommended Use this technique. Specialists Markthat during some procedures (for example, Catheterization of the heart) The doctor really can ask the patient to cough, but this happens only in the hospital, in the presence of medical personnel and under the control of ultrasound diagnostics. As a method of self -help, the cough cannot work. American Cardiological Association does not support The practice of coughing for the SLR notes that the cough in principle does not apply to resuscitation forms. British heart fund even Asks Do not spread this myth further, but those who place it, inform that this technique is ineffective. Sergey Dzmeshkevich, chief researcher at the Russian Scientific Center for Surgery named after Academician B.V. Petrovsky, also warns From the use of the method: "It is dangerous to cough in such a situation - with a heart attack, and even more so with a developing heart attack, any loads are dangerous."

Thus, the newsletter about a special cough against heart attack is based on unverified data. And authoritative medical resources note that it is at least useless, and possibly dangerous - after all, a person, instead of seeking qualified medical care as quickly as possible, is carried away by self -medication or even harm his heart.

*“Verified” consciously does not list the drugs, since, firstly, they should be prescribed to the patient with his attending physician, and secondly, for some of them there are a number of contraindications. You can familiarize yourself with the recommended algorithm for help with a heart attack on the site Mosgorzdrava In Russian or on the website of one of the largest medical and research centers in the world "Clinic Mayo»In English.

Image on the cover: Heart Attack Concept, Woman Suffering from Chest Pain by Marco Verchunder Creative Commons 2.0