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Self-CPR
or C-CPR is a real procedure occasionally used in emergency
situations under professional supervision. It is not, however,
taught in standard CPR courses, nor do most medical
professionals presently recommend it as a
"life-saving" measure for people who experience the
most common types of heart attack while alone (Note: see 2003
update below).
One
doctor I contacted - a heart specialist - had never even heard
of the procedure. Other doctors say they're aware of the
"cough CPR" technique but would only advise it under
very specific circumstances. For example, in certain cases where
a patient has abnormal heart rhythms, coughing can help
normalize them, according to Dr. Stephen Bohan of Brigham and
Women's Hospital in Boston. However, most heart attacks are not
of this type. Dr. Bohan says the best course of action for a
typical heart attack victim is to immediately take an aspirin
(which helps dissolve blood clots) and call 911.
This
is a case where a nugget of truth has apparently been
misunderstood and misrepresented to the public, though not
intentionally. A chapter of Mended Hearts published it without
proper research. It was then reprinted by other chapters and
eventually found its way into email form.
Darla
Bonham, the organization's executive director, issued a
statement afterward which read, in part:"I've received
email from people all across the country wanting to know if it
is a valid medically approved procedure. I contacted a scientist
on staff with the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiac
Care division, and he was able to track a possible source of the
information. The information comes from a professional textbook
on emergency cardiac care. This procedure is also known as
"cough CPR" and is used in emergency situations by
professional staff. The American Heart Association does not
recommend that the public use this method in a situation where
there is no medical supervision."
As
with all medical rumors, the most prudent course of action is to
verify the information with your own doctor or other medical
professional before acting upon it or sharing it with others.
2003
update:
In September 2003, four years after this
email rumor began circulating, Polish physician Tadeusz Petelenz
presented the results of a study which he said demonstrates that
cough CPR can indeed save the lives of some heart attack
victims. While not immediately embraced by all the members
attending the European Society of Cardiology meeting where
Petelenz spoke, the findings were characterized by some as
"interesting." At least one heart specialist, Dr.
Marten Rosenquist of Sweden, found fault with the study,
objecting that Petelenz had presented no evidence that the
subjects had actually experienced cardiac arythmias. He called
for further research. |