Recently, several posts on X have circulated a claim that consuming cayenne pepper can stop a heart attack. Some of these posts feature a video of Barbara O’Neill, a controversial promoter of alternative medicine, who has been known to disseminate false and misleading health-related information.

In the video, O’Neill promotes cayenne pepper as a completely safe herb with no side effects. She then recounts an anecdote where she allegedly treated a woman experiencing a heart attack by administering half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and some water. O’Neill asserts that within two minutes, the woman’s pulse became strong again, suggesting that the cayenne pepper halted the heart attack. O’Neill attributes this recovery to the blood-thinning properties of cayenne pepper.

Given these bold claims, we decided to examine whether cayenne pepper could be life-saving in a pinch.

The controversy surrounding Barbara O’Neill

O’Neill is a self-proclaimed nutritionist and naturopath from Australia who advocates for non-conventional treatments to cure ailments.

Naturopathy focuses on natural remedies that support the body’s ability to heal itself. Examples include dietary changes, herbal treatments, and lifestyle adjustments. In Australia, naturopathy is considered one of the more popular forms of complementary medicine, reflecting a broader cultural interest in holistic care that addresses the body, mind and spirit. This trend is mirrored globally, with countries like Singapore seeing an increase in interest in naturopathy over the past decade.

The rising popularity of naturopathy can be attributed to its focus on identifying root causes and preventing illness rather than only managing symptoms with medication. However, this approach can leave individuals vulnerable to misinformation, as some natural methods lack rigorous scientific validation.

While naturopathy is meant to complement conventional medicine, O’Neill frequently undermines established medical treatments in favour of unproven alternatives. She presents these as definitive cures, often discouraging essential interventions such as vaccinations or conventional cancer therapies.

In fact O’Neill has been permanently banned from providing health services in Australia by the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) in 2019. The HCCC found that O’Neill lacked relevant qualifications and posed a significant risk to public safety due to her promotion of dangerous and unsubstantiated health practices.

Cayenne pepper – Heart attack cure or spicy myth?

Chillies have been integral to global cuisines and traditional medicine for thousands of years, valued for their flavour and potential health benefits. Cayenne peppers are a form of chilli and contain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.

A significant component of chillies is capsaicin, the compound responsible for their heat. Capsaicin is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It also improves blood circulation, which may help reduce the risk of heart attacks. Due to these effects, capsaicin has been studied for its potential health benefits, particularly in areas related to cardiovascular health.

There is some evidence to suggest that capsaicin may benefit heart health by reducing inflammation in the body. A 2017 study conducted by the Chongqing Medical Nutrition Research Centre in China examined the effects of chilli pepper consumption on vascular health. Over a three-month period, participants who took capsaicin in regular twice-daily doses showed improvements in risk factors for coronary heart disease, suggesting a positive impact on cardiovascular health.

Another study, published in 2019 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, analysed data from 22,811 men and women in Italy over eight years to determine if chilli pepper intake affected mortality risk. The researchers found that individuals who consumed chilli peppers more than four times per week had a 44% lower risk of dying from heart disease and heart attacks compared to those who rarely or never ate them.

Additionally, regular chilli consumers were 61% less likely to die from cerebrovascular diseases such as strokes. Researchers suggested that capsaicin’s effects on lipid profiles, inflammation, and weight loss might contribute to these health benefits, though no single mechanism fully explained the results.

While capsaicin may offer benefits for long-term heart health, its effectiveness during an acute heart attack is unproven. Although studies have explored the potential cardiovascular benefits of chilli consumption, including reducing heart disease risks, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that cayenne pepper can stop a heart attack in progress.

A 2009 study led by Dr Keith Jones from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cincinnati in the U.S. examined capsaicin’s effects during a heart attack. The study, conducted on mice, found that the topical application of capsaicin in the form of a pain cream during a heart attack could reduce damage to the heart. However, as Dr Jones clarified, “capsaicin had never been found to stop a heart attack in its tracks. It was only shown to help protect the heart muscle.”

Moreover, contrary to claims by O’Neill that cayenne pepper is completely safe, evidence suggests otherwise. Weight loss pills containing cayenne pepper have been linked to heart complications, such as coronary artery spasms, further challenging its safety in heart attack scenarios.

Hence, there is little to no scientific evidence to prove that cayenne pepper can stop a heart attack and be relied on during emergencies. While it may play a role in long-term heart health, relying on it during a cardiac event is risky and not recommended by medical professionals. Therefore, the claim that cayenne pepper can stop a heart attack is likely false.

When dealing with a suspected heart attack, proven emergency treatments, such as taking aspirin, which slows blood clotting, and seeking immediate medical intervention, are far more reliable and should be prioritised​ according to medical professionals.

The Singapore National Heart Foundation emphasises the importance of following established emergency protocols, including calling 995, conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administering an automated external defibrillator (AED) if necessary, when dealing with suspected cardiac emergencies.

Barbara O’Neill’s claims, including those suggesting cayenne pepper can stop a heart attack, often lack scientific validation and are instead rooted in unverified anecdotes. Relying on unproven remedies can delay or discourage life-saving medical interventions, posing significant risks. Therefore, it is essential to approach online health claims with scepticism, particularly when they come from unverified sources like O’Neill and to consult reputable sources and qualified healthcare professionals for accurate medical guidance.