For everyone who’s ever taken a CPR class, there’s one thing they probably didn’t show you how to do. Let’s say it’s 5 p.m. and you’re driving home after a particularly stressful day. All of a sudden, you start feeling weak, your heart is beating hard, and you have only a few seconds before you lose consciousness. You can help yourself by coughing repeatedly and strongly. Take a deep breath before each cough, repeating the coughing every second until you arrive at the hospital or until your heart starts beating normally. Deep breathing gives oxygen to your lungs, and coughing increases blood circulation to the heart. Heart pressure also helps restore your normal heartbeat. Cardiologists say that following these instructions can save your life when there’s no one around to help you.
