Home Remedies for Heart Attack

There is no safe home treatment for a heart attack. Call 112 or 102 immediately. Do not try home remedies, and do not wait to see if it passes.

What to do while waiting for the ambulance

• Stop what you are doing and sit down or lie in a comfortable position, such as semi-sitting.
• Loosen tight clothing.
• Unlock the door and ask someone to wait for the ambulance.
• Do not drive yourself, and do not climb stairs unnecessarily.
• If the emergency operator or your doctor has advised aspirin, and you are not allergic, chew a single 300 mg tablet as directed. Do not take it on your own if you have bleeding problems or have been told to avoid it, and do not delay the call to look for it.
• If you have been prescribed a nitroglycerin tablet for angina, take it as your doctor has told you.
• Stay calm and breathe slowly.
• If the person collapses and is not breathing normally, start chest compressions and use an automated defibrillator if available.

What not to do

• Do not rely on cough, hot drinks, water, antacids, massage or herbal mixtures.
• Do not wait for symptoms to ease before calling.
• Do not go to sleep hoping it will pass.
• Do not give anything by mouth to a person who is unconscious.

After recovery

Home care means following the cardiologist's plan, taking medicines, gentle activity as advised, and attending follow-up.

Key point

At home, the right action is to call for help, not to treat the attack yourself.

Before your appointment

Bring all your reports, ECGs and medicine strips, and a list of every medicine and supplement you take, including herbal products. Note when symptoms occurred, what brought them on and how long they lasted. Share your family history of heart disease, and your smoking, alcohol, diabetes and blood pressure history. Ask about cardiac rehabilitation and the warning signs that mean you should call 112 or 102.