Coping with a cardiac attack while driving.

• Position: Heart - Guidelines - Brief Article

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has saved countless lives, but it requires a rescuer. If you're alone in your car and begin to feel chest pains, a Stanford (Calif.) Medical Center cardiologist has some practical suggestions that may help. "If you truly are suffering a heart attack, you may have several seconds to pull over and begin self-preservation measures," says Mark Perlroth, professor of medicine (cardiovascular). "First and foremost, if you feel chest pains, particularly if they are the telltale heart pains that radiate to the arms and jaw, pull to the side of the road and stop the car. If you have a cell phone--and this is a good reason for having one--dial 911 and report your location to the dispatcher taking the call.

"In theory, it's possible that you might prolong consciousness by taking deep breaths and coughing repeatedly--a breath and cough about every two seconds. The deep breathing might help get oxygen into the lungs and could help you to retain...