Carotid artery massage could calm rapid heartbeat

NBC NEWS - Rushing to the hospital, Ernest Jackson knew the fact that his racing heart wouldn't slow down wasn't good.

"The normal heart rate is anywhere between 60 and if you're active, maybe 100. His rate went suddenly to 170," said Cardiologist Dr. John Blannett.

Doctors at Mercy Fitzgerald in Darby, Pennsylvania needed to act quickly.

A racing heart can be the result of many things including anxiety, stress, medications and heart disease.

"In an older patient who's had heart disease or a weak heart, they could collapse, they could have a heart attack, they could lose their blood pressure," Blannett said.

But Mr. Jackson wasn't given a shot or even asked to take any medicine right away.

Instead ER doctor, Jim Roberts leaned over and did something that surprised the retired accountant.

The doctor pressed and gently massaged Mr. Jackson's carotid artery.

"That sends a message to the heart to slow down by releasing some chemicals in the Vegas nerve. It stops the rhythm like that (snap). And I just did that and in about that length of time, I looked up and his heart was normal," said Roberts.

Dr. Roberts literally wrote the book on emergency medicine and says the procedure has been around for years, but doctors must check for clots that could rupture and lead to stroke before doing the massage.

"I’m very thankful I’m very grateful for it too," said heart patient Jackson.

Now don't try this on yourself or anyone else without talking to a doctor first.

Dr. Roberts says another way to reduce a racing heart without medication is to put your face in cold water.

But again, check with a doctor first. Anyone who is experiencing heart problems should get immediate medical help.