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Vomiting often can throw your electrolytes out of balance. Low levels of potassium, magnesium, and sodium are not uncommon. This is hard on the heart and can cause irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), weakened heart muscle, and heart failure. Bulimia can cause low blood pressure, weak pulse, and anemia. Throwing up can be a violent event. The sheer force of it can even cause blood vessels in the eyes to rupture.
Patients who try coughing to stop a heart attack without medical supervision in a hospital may be further endangering their lives. Coughing can take away precious time that should be used to dial 9-1-1 to get an ambulance to the emergency room.