Do You Know What to Do in the First 60 Seconds of a Heart Attack?

 Yes — knowing what to do in the first 60 seconds of a heart attack can save your life or someone else's. Here's what you need to know and do immediately:

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🚨 1. Recognize the Symptoms

Common signs of a heart attack include:

• Chest pain or pressure (tightness, squeezing, or fullness)

• Pain in arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

• Shortness of breath

• Sweating

• Nausea or vomiting

• Lightheadedness or dizziness

• Sudden fatigue

📝 Symptoms can be different in women — often more subtle, such as shortness of breath, nausea, or back/jaw pain.

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🕒 2. Call Emergency Services Immediately (e.g., 112 or 911)

Don't wait to see if symptoms go away. Time is heart muscle. Calling an ambulance is faster and safer than driving yourself.

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💊 3. Take an Aspirin (if advised)

• Chew (not swallow whole) a 325 mg aspirin, unless you’re allergic or have been told not to by a doctor.

• Aspirin helps thin the blood and reduce damage to the heart.

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🧘‍♂️ 4. Stay Calm and Still

• Sit or lie down with your head elevated.

• Do not walk, drive, or climb stairs.

• Keep calm to avoid stressing your heart further.

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❌ Do NOT:

• Wait to “see if it passes.”

• Take nitroglycerin unless prescribed.

• Try to drive yourself unless absolutely no help is available.

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❗What About Cough CPR?

You may have heard advice to "cough hard and repeatedly" during a heart attack. This is NOT recommended unless under professional supervision (like in a hospital). It can waste valuable time and may worsen the situation.

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🔁 Summary: First 60 Seconds Action Plan

Step	Action
1️⃣	Recognize symptoms
2️⃣	Call emergency services
3️⃣	Chew aspirin (if not allergic)
4️⃣	Rest, stay calm, and wait for help