Heart diseases  

Answer:  

Coughing increases air pressure in the lungs. This pressure pushes down on blood vessels in the lungs, causing a rise in blood pressure.

This fact has generated a persistent myth that, by coughing violently, you can give yourself a sort of cardiac massage and avoid fainting until help arrives. This idea has been vastly circulated, notably on the Internet, and become somewhat of an urban legend.

In reality, violent coughing is completely useless since you will not feel a heart attack coming on. Since you are likely to faint almost immediately, you will not be able to cough. If you are experiencing heart attack symptoms, you can use a nitroglycerin spray if you have one. A single spray under the tongue can help reduce chest tightening. If you think you are having a heart attack, call for help and lie on the ground or sit up against a wall.

What should you do if you are alone and believe you are having a heart attack? Immediately call 911 or your local emergency services to get help. Make sure to keep a list of emergency numbers beside your phone at all times.

For more information, visit http://www.heartandstroke.ca