For Immediate Release June 20, 2023

"Cardiac arrest, heart attacks, is still the number one cause of deaths in the not only United States but also worldwide," said Arslan Mirza, MD

"Our job is to help patients understand what to look for in case if they suspect a patient having cardiac arrest," Dr. Mirza said. The interventional cardiologist with SIH Prairie Heart Institute recently spoke with a class of men and women in Carbondale. They were part of the SIH Second Act program. 

Dr. Mirza says people should be on the lookout for the following signs of a possible cardiac emergency:

  • Chest pain that's getting worse
  • Shortness of breath that's getting worse
  • Feelings of racing heart sensation
  • Dizzy spells
  • Severe diaphoresis (or severe sweating)

Dr. Mirza's presentation included an breakdown of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs),


"It is very generally user friendly as long as patients have seen it before. Our goal is to try and see how we can empower the general public, so that they could help save a life," Dr. Mirza said.

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