A heart attack is one of the scariest medical emergencies someone can face. It can happen suddenly and feel overwhelming—not just for the person having it, but also for anyone nearby. In that critical moment, knowing what to do can make a big difference while waiting for an ambulance.
The most important first step is always to call emergency services right away. But there’s another step many people don’t know about: how to sit or position the body during a heart attack.
The right position can ease pressure on the heart and help keep the situation from getting worse until help arrives.
When someone is having a heart attack, the goal is to make the heart’s job as easy as possible. Experts say the best position is to sit in a relaxed way, leaning slightly back, with support behind the back and knees bent.
This helps the heart pump blood more easily by working with gravity. Sitting is much better than lying flat, which can add more stress to the heart.
One simple way to do this is to sit on the ground and lean against a wall, sofa, or other sturdy object. Bend your knees and try to stay calm. If you’re helping someone else, gently help them into this position and stay with them. Let them know that help is coming.
Just like there are good actions to take, there are also things to avoid. First, don’t lie flat on the ground or in bed. That position can make the heart work harder. Sitting up is safer. Also, don’t walk around or do anything physical. The heart needs rest, not extra work. Moving around can make things worse.
Another mistake is waiting too long to call for help. Sometimes people think it’s just heartburn or try to be strong and wait it out. But waiting can lead to serious problems. If someone has chest pain, trouble breathing, or other signs of a heart attack, don’t wait—call for help right away.
It’s also a good idea to avoid eating or drinking while waiting, unless a doctor says it’s okay. Some people think about taking aspirin, but that should only be done if a healthcare worker tells you to. Not all chest pain is a heart attack, and aspirin isn’t always safe.
Finally, ignore internet myths like “cough CPR.” This false idea says that coughing hard can restart the heart or help during a heart attack. But there is no proof this works outside of a hospital, and it could be harmful. The safest thing to do is stay calm, stay still, and wait for emergency responders.
In short, how someone positions themselves during a heart attack matters. Sitting up, leaning back with support, and keeping the knees bent can help reduce stress on the heart and make breathing easier. Avoid lying down, moving too much, or waiting to get help.
These steps are not a cure, but they can help keep the situation from getting worse while waiting for medical professionals. Being prepared and knowing what to do can help save lives. A calm and informed response can make all the difference in a heart attack emergency.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about how to remove plaques that cause heart attacks, and results showing a new way to prevent heart attacks, strokes.
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