Como
sobreviver a um ataque cardíaco quando estiver sozinho
Sent: Monday,
January 27, 2003 1:29 PM
Subject: heart attack hoax
Cough CPR AHA
does not endorse "cough CPR," a coughing procedure widely publicized
on the Internet.
As noted in the
AHA's textbook Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, AHA DOES
NOT TEACH THIS AS PART OF THE CORE CURRICULUM IN ANY COURSE.
During a sudden
arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), it may be possible for a conscious,
responsive person to cough forcefully and maintain enough blood flow
to the brain to remain conscious for a few seconds until the arrhythmia
disappears or is treated. Blood flow is maintained by increased pressure
in the chest that occurs during forceful coughs.
This has been
mislabeled "cough CPR," although it's not a form of traditional resuscitation.
Why isn't "cough
CPR" appropriate in CPR training courses?
- "Cough CPR"
should not be routinely taught in lay-rescuer CPR courses, because
it would complicate the teaching of traditional CPR. It would add
information that is not generally useful in the prehospital setting.
In virtually
all lay-rescuer CPR courses, the finding that signals an emergency
is the victim's unresponsiveness. This signals the rescuer to begin
the "A,B,C's" of CPR. Unresponsive victims will not be able to perform
"cough CPR."
Are there situations
when "cough CPR" is appropriate?
- this coughing
technique to maintain blood flow during brief arrhythmias has been
useful in the hospital, particularly during cardiac catheterization.
In such cases the patient's ECG is monitored continuously, and a physician
is present. During cardiac catheterization, patients may develop sudden
arrhythmias.
If a life-threatening
arrhythmia is detected within the first 10 to 15 seconds and before
the patient loses consciousness, a physician or nurse may instruct
the patient to cough. Repeated, forceful coughing can help the person
remain conscious until the arrhythmia disappears or is treated.
Therefore, the
usefulness of "cough CPR" is generally limited to the monitored patient
with witnessed arrest in the hospital setting.
AHA Recommendation
- the best strategy
is to be aware of the early warning signs for heart attack and cardiac
arrest and respond to them by calling 9-1-1.
If you're driving
alone and you start having severe chest pain or discomfort that starts
to spread into your arm and up into your jaw (the scenario presented
in the Internet article), you should pull over and flag down another
motorist for help or phone 9-1-1 on a cellular telephone.
For more information,
please go to our web site at www.mendedhearts.org
--> Education Resources --> Learn More About Heart Disease --> Does
Coughing Prevent Heart Attacks?
Heartfully,
Cathy Clapp
The Mended Hearts,
Inc.
National Office
7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, Texas 75231
toll-free: 888.432.7899 phone: 214.706.1442
fax: 214.706.5245
Dedicated to
inspiring hope in heart disease patients and their families
