PHOENIX -- Drugs, diet and exercise are the most common ways to prevent a heart attack in the long run, but what about a quick fix when the symptoms hit hard and fast?

CBS 5 News learned of a potentially life-saving technique that may help hold off a heart attack if you feel one coming on.

An e-mail says you may be able to cough your way out of a blackout, but is that really true?

"Coughing can help and can keep you awake enough that you can call 911," said Dr. Nathan Laufer.

Laufer, a renowned Valley cardiologist, said coughing deeply forces blood to the brain and can contract an erratic heart. That can keep you awake long enough to get help.

"It won't prevent a heart attack, but the problem with heart attacks is that 50 percent of patients don't make it to the hospital because they die suddenly," Laufer said.

Coughing buys time, but you must start coughing immediately and deeply. If it really is a heart attack, you have only about five to 10 seconds before you'll pass out.

"It doesn't last forever because eventually you get fatigued and tired and you will pass out. But it may give you those extra few seconds or minutes where you can actually get to a telephone," Laufer said.

Laufer said he uses the coughing technique in his office if one of his patients goes into arrhythmia.

Click here for heart attack warning signs.