Nurse Frank Brown's life saved by quick-thinking colleagues at Englewood Hospital

Englewood, FL — Frank Brown, a dedicated nurse at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital and military veteran, experienced a life-threatening cardiac event while on duty, underscoring the critical importance of prompt medical intervention and teamwork.

While attending to his responsibilities, Brown suffered a syncopal episode, commonly known as fainting. This episode was later identified as a "widowmaker" heart attack, a term used to describe a severe blockage in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Such blockages can lead to massive heart attacks and are often fatal if not treated immediately.

In the United States, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, with approximately 805,000 heart attacks occurring annually. Of these, about 75% are first-time heart attacks. The "widowmaker" heart attack is particularly dangerous due to the critical area of the heart it affects.

Symptoms of a heart attack can vary but often include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, and discomfort in other areas of the upper body, such as the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. In Brown's case, his colleagues immediately recognized the signs and swiftly transported him to the hospital's Emergency Room.

Interventional Cardiologist Sailendra Upendram, MD performed a heart catheterization which revealed multivessel coronary artery disease, necessitating advanced surgical intervention. He said, "We discovered that Mr. Brown's coronary artery had a 70% blockage, while his other arteries ranged from 70% to 90% blocked. To ensure the best possible care, we arranged for his safe transfer to HCA Florida Largo Hospital, where he could undergo open-heart surgery."

Brown was emergently airlifted to HCA Florida Largo Hospital, where cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Christiano Caldeira performed a life-saving off-pump two-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This technique allows surgeons to bypass blocked arteries without the use of a heart-lung machine, reducing potential complications.

Remarkably, Brown's recovery has been swift and successful. He attributes his survival to the immediate actions of his colleagues and the exceptional care he received. “If my coworkers hadn’t been so encouraging to go to the emergency room, I would have probably gone home. But I wouldn’t have been ok. The quick response and professionalism of my team at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, combined with the expertise at HCA Florida Largo Hospital, undoubtedly saved my life," said Brown.

This incident highlights the importance of recognizing heart attack symptoms and acting promptly. It also serves as a testament to the collaboration of specialists, surgeons and expert care teams at HCA Florida Healthcare, the state’s largest cardiovascular network.

For more information on cardiovascular screening and diagnostics at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital