Dangerous Urban Myth: Can Coughing Stop a Heart Attack? Here's What You Should Do Instead

I still see this post going around, and it makes me mad!

Have you ever read a social media post that says “If you feel chest pain, pull over and cough hard to stop a heart attack,” you’re not alone. This advice has been circulating for decades — and it’s dangerously wrong.

In this article, we’ll break down:

• Why the “cough CPR” myth persists

• What actually happens during a heart attack

• The correct first aid steps to take

• What medication you’re legally allowed to give someone

• When CPR is needed — and when it’s not

❌ The Cough CPR Urban Myth — Where It Came From

The idea of “cough CPR” is based on a real but highly misunderstood hospital procedure. In very rare circumstances, patients in a clinical setting (under constant heart monitoring and medical supervision) have been instructed to cough to maintain circulation during a sudden heart rhythm issue (like ventricular fibrillation).

Coughing is NOT a treatment for heart attack.

But this does not apply to regular heart attacks. Outside of a hospital, coughing will not fix the underlying problem and may even waste valuable time when you should be calling Triple Zero (000).

💔 What Actually Happens During a Heart Attack?

A heart attack (medically called a myocardial infarction) occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked. This is usually caused by a blood clot forming on top of a ruptured plaque inside a coronary artery.

Early symptoms may include:

• Chest pressure or pain (tight, heavy, or squeezing)

• Pain radiating to the arm, jaw, or back

• Nausea, shortness of breath, or cold sweats

• In some cases (especially in women), symptoms may be more subtle

Did you know that 30% of heart attacks don't give warning signs!

🚨 What to Do If You or Someone Else Might Be Having a Heart Attack

1. Stop and Rest ImmediatelyDon’t drive. Don’t “wait it out.” Sit the person down and stay calm.

2. Call Triple Zero (000)This is the single most important step. Paramedics can begin lifesaving treatment on the way to hospital.

3. Give Aspirin (If Appropriate)If the person is:

• Over 18

• Not allergic to aspirin

• Not currently taking blood thinners or has a bleeding disorder

• Not vomiting or showing signs of stroke

👉 Then  give a standard dose of aspirin (300mg) and encourage them to chew it.

Aspirin is an antithrombolytic helps by preventing the clot from getting bigger while emergency help is on the way.

4. Monitor for ChangesStay with the person, keep them calm, and be ready to perform CPR if they become unresponsive and stop breathing normally.

When Is CPR Needed?

CPR is for cardiac arrest, not heart attack.

• A heart attack is a plumbing issue — a blocked artery.

• A cardiac arrest is an electrical issue — the heart stops beating effectively.

Sometimes a heart attack leads to cardiac arrest, but not always.

If the person:

• Collapses

• Is unresponsive

• Is not breathing normally (or only gasping and body movements that are not purposful)

👉Follow DRSABCD Start CPR immediately and ask for an AED (defibrillator) if available.

💊 First Aid Legally: Can You Give Medication?

Under Australian first aid guidelines and laws,first aiders are protected, and can give a person their own medication or provide over-the-counter medications like aspirin in an emergency — provided the person is conscious and consents.

You must not administer medications without consent unless you're trained and authorised (e.g., in a workplace first aider or paramedic role).

✅ Drugs you can give as a first aider (with consent):

• Aspirin (in suspected heart attack)

• A person's own medication (GTN spray)

• Adrenalin Auto Injectors for Anaphylaxis (their own, or any adrenalin auto injector available to you

• Asthma releiver (Blue Puffer-Salbutamol) for asthma symptoms

🚫 Do not give:

• Strong prescription medications that aren’t theirs

• Any medicine to someone unconscious unless trained and authorised

🧠 Why This Education Matters

Every minute counts in a heart attack. The longer the heart muscle is starved of oxygen, the more damage is done.

Relying on misinformation like cough CPR can delay emergency care — and that delay could cost a life.

Educating your family, staff, and community with accurate first aid knowledge can:

• Improve response times

• Increase survival rates

• Reduce panic in high-stress moments

Remember!

30:2, NO MATTER WHO-30 chest compressions, 2 rescue breaths if willing, if not pump through, do not stop.

🧰 Quick Recap: What To Do in a Suspected Heart Attack

Step	What To Do
1	Stop and rest the patient
2	Call 000 immediately
3	Give aspirin if no contraindications
4	Keep them calm and monitor breathing
5	Start CPR if they become unresponsive and stop breathing

Final Word

Don’t let viral myths replace real first aid knowledge. Coughing won’t save your life during a heart attack — but recognising the signs and calling for help absolutely can.

If you're unsure what to do in a medical emergency, first aid training can give you the confidence to act fast, legally, and correctly. Book a class now!