In the United States, over 730,000 Americans suffer heart attacks every year. Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women. Various disorders are major contributors in heart complications, like stress, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis (plaque in arteries), family history, smoking, and obesity.

Arterial plaque, narrowing of the vascular arteries, and the lack of oxygen causes heart attacks. Every 40 seconds someone in the United States dies of myocardial infarction.

Heart Attack Symptoms

• Chest Pain and tightness
• Lightheaded
• Dizzy
• Tired/Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating
• Gray color to skin
• Arm/Shoulder Pain
• Abnormal heart palpitations

If you have any of the symptoms above, please call 911. The sooner you get treated, the better your chances of survival.

Over 325,000 people will experience a sudden cardiac arrest per year. It is the number one cause of death in the United States, leaving 90 percent of its victims deceased. Unlike Cardiac Arrest (a heart attack), where a portion of the heart stops due to a blockage, in the case of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, it’s not a blockage problem; it’s an electrical stimulation problem. If defibrillation is not administered immediately, the likelihood of survival is bleak. A defibrillator sends an electric shock to the heart that stops the heart ‘s ventricle fibrillation (an irregular arrhythmia) so that it can start beating and pumping normally again.

If a person experiences a sudden cardiac arrest and an AED (automated external defibrillator) is not available, CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) should be administered until defibrillation can be applied. This is the reason that many public places, like airports, sports venues, shopping centers, hotels, and more have automated external defibrillators available. The AED’s can detect whether or not the person is truly suffering from a serious arrhythmia, and only sends the shock to the heart if this has occurred. This prevents the average person from making the error of seeing a person fainting and mistakenly thinking that they are in a life-threatening case of a sudden cardiac arrest. AED’s are straightforward and easy for anyone to use, but because we are dealing with the perilous seconds of someone’s life, sometimes AED’s are not used quickly enough.

Risk Factors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

• Coronary Heart Disease
• Personal or Family History of SCA or Heart disorders
• Drug/Alcohol Abuse
• Prior Hear Attack
• Heart Failure
• CHD/Coronary Heart Disease

Symptoms

• Chest Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Shortness of Breath
• Light Headed

At Cardiac Care Group, they take your symptoms seriously and are prepared to see you and to discuss your conditions. They specialize in providing a wide range of services that focus on the prevention, prompt diagnosis and state-of-the-art treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Joseph Freedman, M.D.

Dr. Joseph Freedman is devoted to keeping your heart at its healthiest. Dr. Freedman is a Board Certified Cardiologist, and his mission is to provide the surrounding communities with the highest quality cardiac care in a welcoming environment. He and his staff are dedicated to fulfilling the specific cardiac needs of each patient.

Don’t Ignore Your Symptoms! If you or someone you know needs to have a cardiology consultation, are concerned about your risk factors, or are experiencing symptoms of chest discomfort, shortness of breath or other related issues, please contact them at (239) 574-8463

Cardiac Care Group

3208 Chiquita Blvd. S., Suite 110. Cape Coral, FL 33914

(239) 574-8463             www.flccg.com

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.