It is my contention that gossip, the practice of spreading information without checking its validity, has its electronic equivalent in chain e-mails on health.

I love writing this weekly health page and thoroughly enjoy public input. Well-meaning folk often e-mail me warnings and health information requesting that I share it with a wider audience through publication of this page.

Recently one friend was adamant that I should write a piece on the importance of not lying down when you are having a heart attack. She had received the new "knowledge" from the following e-mail message:

There are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm.

One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.

Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack. The majority of people (about 60 percent) who had a heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.

If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth and swallow them with a bit of water.

Afterwards:

- CALL 911

- say "heart attack!"

- say that you have taken two aspirins

- phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by

- take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and...

~ DO NOT lie down.

A cardiologist has stated that, if each person, after receiving this e-mail, sends it to ten people, probably one life can be saved!

"I didn't know that," my friend said. "I thought I knew what to do but I had never been told that and look at how important it is. You could really save someone's life by writing about this. I don't think everyone knows this and everyone should know it."

The possibility of causing someone's death through not writing this, immediately forced me to assume responsibility for getting this message to the people through this newspaper. Although I have a strong background in biology, I am not a medical doctor nor am I a medical professional. It is my duty as a journalist to verify information before I even dare to write it down in an article.

The information on pain radiating to the arm and chin, on increased sweating and a feeling of nausea are all consistent with warnings given by reputable institutions including the American Heart Association, The Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic.

But the advice to not lie down during a heart attack has no scientific basis, according to the experts I contacted.

Myrian Balitian-Dill, cardiac care nurse educator at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, said: "There are no specific guidelines about positioning during a heart attack it is not recommended that patients lie flat due to breathing.

"Most patients experiencing a heart attack feel a squeezing in the chest; shortness of breath. Some may have associated nausea (and maybe even vomiting) and so a lying position may make these symptoms worse. Sitting up is the best position to put someone who is conscious and having symptoms consistent with a heart attack."

Doctors at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore said they routinely make patients suffering a heart attack lie down.

"I have never heard of anyone telling a patient with an MI (myocardial infarction) to not lie down," said Edward Kasper, director of clinical cardiology. "In fact, the first thing we do is put them in bed."

Medical professor Kerry Stewart, director of clinical and research exercise physiology at Johns Hopkins said ensuring the patient remains as calm as possible is important.

"I am unaware of why someone should avoid lying down. In fact, sitting or lying at rest while waiting for the emergency system to arrive is what the person should be doing," he said.

Another e-mail chain letter claims that there are specific health benefits tied to the time of day that you drink water.

"Drinking water at the correct time maximises its effectiveness on the human body:

Two glasses of water after waking up helps activate internal organs;

One glass of water 30 minutes before a meal helps digestion;

One glass of water before taking a bath helps lower blood pressure;

One glass of water before going to bed avoids stroke or heart attack."

According to Ms Balitian Dill, Dr. Kasper and Mr. Stewart there is no scientific basis for these claims to be true.

"Most of the statements about water are not based on any evidence. It might be helpful to drink water before a meal to help reduce appetite somewhat," said Mr. Stewart.

Ms Balitian Dill explained that water is important for our bodies to function properly. She said that rather than concerning ourselves with the time of day we drink water, we need to ensure we remain hydrated.

"How much hydration is adequate depends on gender, age, weight, your environment, health and activity level," she said. "There are no specific guidelines on timing. The only population for which hydration timing is crucial is athletes who require adequate hydration for optimum performance."

To determine adequate levels of hydration Ms Balitian Dill suggests visiting The Beverage Institute of Health online at www.thebeverageinstitute.com. The site provides a calculator and guidelines on how much to drink and details of the types of drinks.