What to do if you're alone and having a heart attack, according to a doctor

Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death. Nearly 20 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2022, and most of those deaths were from heart attacks and stroke. In the United States alone, heart disease causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year and remains a top killer. These numbers show how common acute heart problems are and why immediate action matters.

Dr. Christabel Akinola recently shared an Instagram post describing a real case in which a man recognized heart-attack symptoms and survived after taking immediate steps. In her post, she describes what the man did that increased his survival rates and why these actions are important.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPeo3MADHPh/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DPeo3MADHPh/

Call emergency services immediately
The single best first move is to call emergency services right away and tell the dispatcher you think you may be having a heart attack. Paramedics can begin treatment en route and advise you by phone while arranging transport. Put the call on speaker so you can follow instructions with both hands free, and tell the dispatcher your exact location and any allergies or medications. Do not drive yourself to the hospital unless there is absolutely no alternative. An ambulance will start life-saving care earlier and get you to the right center.





Take aspirin quickly
If you are conscious, not allergic to aspirin, and do not have a condition that makes bleeding dangerous, chew a non-coated adult aspirin (commonly 162–325 mg or ~300 mg in some national guidelines). Chewing speeds absorption. Large trials and contemporary analyses show that early aspirin after symptom onset reduces short-term cardiovascular death; one recent analysis found about a 25% reduction in 28-day cardiovascular mortality when aspirin was taken early.

Breathing and coughing
Dr. Akinola described a deep-breath + forceful-cough routine; that idea circulates widely online. However, important caveat: major resuscitation bodies do not endorse “cough CPR” for unmonitored, unsupervised people with suspected heart attack. Forceful coughing can, in very specific monitored arrhythmia scenarios, briefly maintain consciousness, but it is not a proven, safe substitute for calling emergency services or for professional care.
Elevate the legs
Putting your legs up (for example lying down with knees bent and feet supported) can improve venous return to the heart and help if you feel faint or dizzy, and it’s commonly recommended as a supportive first-aid measure. However, leg elevation is not a treatment for the blocked artery causing a heart attack- it’s strictly a comfort/support step while you wait for emergency care.
Stay as calm as possible
Fear and panic trigger sympathetic drive (adrenaline) that raises heart rate and blood pressure, which increases myocardial oxygen demand and can worsen pain or ischemia. Simple steps, slow, measured breathing; sitting or lying down; removing tight clothing; and speaking to a dispatcher or a colleague, can lower anxiety and modestly reduce strain on the heart.

Practical preparedness
If you live alone, prepare for emergencies: leave the front door unlocked or on a visible latch (only when you’re home), keep your phone with you, and have a list of medications and allergies handy.