Hello, my friends, An email that has been circulating on the internet for a number of years (1999), now, has once again raised it's ugly head. This is another one of the hoaxes I've mentioned in other threads that gets spread by well meaning friends and relatives who forward it to all their friends and relatives. This one could kill you. According to the email, if you are experiencing chest pains that you believe signal the onset of a heart attack, and are not near medical treatment, you should begin coughing repeatedly and deeply, taking deep breaths between each cough, in an attempt to regulate the heartbeat and draw as much oxygen into your blood as possible. The medical fact is that this could actually stop your heart causing death. Not all heart attacks even result in unconsciousness. A mild heart attack can cause dizziness, chest pain, pain radiating up your arm and into your jaw, shortness of breath and weakness. However, it doesn't mean that your heart has stopped or that it's going to stop. What doctors almost universally recommend for these symptoms is that you immediately chew (do not swallow whole) an aspirin and immediately seek medical attention.) The idea of "coughing CPR" is an experimental procedure being tested by trained professionals for getting the heart going just before the patient blacks out. In other words, they are testing it for use on patients whose hearts have basically STOPPED working, and only under highly trained professional supervision. You can and should read all about it HERE at Snopes.com. Read the whole article, and if you want to pass on some REAL and SERIOUS medical truth to your friends and family, send them the Snopes link. Although a lot of people have lost faith in the medical establishment over the years, they are still your first line of defence for serious, life-threatening illnesses. While there are many wellness programs and products that seem to work, they should only be used by those who have serious health issues under the supervision of a health care professional. Doctors may not always be able to offer you a cure, but they generally have a really good idea of what can kill you! God bless, Dave

Hi, Dave, As you say, this eMail is circulating widely. I didn't realise that it was an old one bur I received two copies from well meaning friends, here in Spain, who did not understand the nature of my illness. One has already been traced back to the initial sender but there was no malice in her actions so a stern warning was issued. Only the fact that the mails had been forwarded so many times alerted me to the true nature of them. They were so well written and seemed so authoritative that, I believe, this old coot would have remembered the instructions and acted on them if I had ever felt the need. As for doctors, I well remember the heart felt lament of one of my favourites. "No matter what I do, unless it comes out right, it is always my fault. Why don't people realise that we (doctors) are forever in a state of experimentation because every single patient can react to treatment in a different way. Just because 'this' works with 'that' patient does not mean it will work with 'the other' or 'every' patient." Regards Arthur (feeling much better)

Dear Dave, Thank you very much for bringing this to everyone's attention. I, too, have a forum thread going on this very email. When in doubt, I always go to Snopes or http://www.scambusters.org/ Or Google the keywords from the email. And Arthur, you are correct--some of these are worded so well, you really would think they are true. Be safe, everyone! Sincerely,

Thank you for the warning Dave. I have not seen that one yet, but I will be sure to keep an eye open for it. You are absolutely right about doctors. They do know what will kill you, and that is something you can count on. Being in the wellness industry myself, I see an awful lot of people who have given up on traditional medicine. I think that is a big mistake. Trying homeopathic remedies is not a bad thing to do, but you should discuss these rememdies with your doctor before trying them out. If you just don't like your doctor, find a new one. Sometimes it isn't the medical establishment as a whole, but a specific practitioner. Get a second opinion, but get an opinion. Before starting out on any nutritional supplements, you should always talk with your doctor, especially if you are taking prescription drugs of any kind, even birth control. Some herbs work in harmony with medications, and some do not. Of those that don't, some can actually cause serious side effects, or cause the prescription medicine to not work. Not everything natural is meant to be ingested either. Before supplementing my own diet with nutritional substances, I took the whole lot to my doctor and asked him if they were right for me. After I got the go-ahead, I started using them. I am happy to report that since starting my supplemental regime, I have not been ill, my cholesterol is at an all time low, and my weight is where I want it to be. The key is to work with an MD, not to take your health into your own hands by swallowing whatever is popular at the time. Never take health advice from a forwarded email. That is just plain dumb. When in doubt, check it out... with a doctor. There I go again... rambling. Have an awesome day! Trina

Hello, Dave! Some one did send me this and before I even checked it out, I responded to her with "No way!" I do have some basic medical and CPR training and never have I come across this little theory. I'm not even sure some one who is having this sort of trouble and is alone can manage to cough voluntarily and with any sort of regular rhythm. I then politely told my friend who sends me all sorts of things to PLEASE check them out before sending them on to others. I am now in the habit of checking stuff out before I send it to anyone. The particulary nasty ones I do send out with the warning that it is untrue, so don't be alarmed if they should receive such and such. I pray for the day that people get a clue and stop following like sheep. Have a great day, Kate