Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a heart attack. Will it be you—or someone you love?
In 2000, my father became part of that statistic. He was one of the approximately 1 million Americans who die each year from a myocardial infarction.
When he began experiencing the warning signs of a heart attack, he immediately sought medical attention. He had a personal history of hypertension and a family history of heart disease. Tragically, the hospital he visited failed to follow evidence-based care protocols and did not perform the appropriate diagnostic tests to confirm a heart attack. He was sent home, and just hours later, he died in his sleep at the age of 42.
In 2022, I turned my personal commitment to heart disease prevention into a professional mission. I joined the American Heart Association as a communications manager specializing in quality, outcomes research, and analytics. My work supports hospitals in adhering to the latest science-based guidelines—so that others do not have to endure the kind of care failure that led to my father’s untimely death.
Your support of the American Heart Association helps build a world where everyone has access to equitable, evidence-based care for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Your donation funds lifesaving research and advances that help people live longer, healthier lives. If you’re able, please consider making a contribution.
