FEBRUARY 17, 2026- A Fort Lauderdale business owner is crediting rapid decision-making and coordinated cardiovascular care at HCA Florida Westside Hospital for saving his life after experiencing a sudden cardiac emergency during his morning commute.
While driving on the Sawgrass Expressway toward I-595, the patient began experiencing shortness of breath that quickly escalated to severe chest pressure.
“At first I thought it was stress,” he said. “Then it felt like someone dropped a brick on my chest. Then it doubled. Then it doubled again.”
Recognizing the severity of his symptoms, he searched for the nearest hospital using his GPS. The estimated arrival time to HCA Florida Westside Hospital was nine minutes. He arrived in six.
Upon arrival at the emergency department, clinical staff rapidly initiated cardiac protocols. The patient was triaged immediately, placed on monitors, and evaluated by the emergency team. Within 20 minutes, he was transferred to the cardiac catheterization laboratory for urgent intervention.
An Unexpected Emergency
What makes this case particularly notable is the absence of traditional warning indicators. Seven months prior, the patient underwent a cardiac scan that demonstrated clear coronary arteries and an extremely low projected risk of a cardiac event.
Interventional cardiologist and Chief of Staff Dr. Henry Cusnir performed the emergency cardiac catheterization procedure, successfully restoring blood flow. The patient remained awake for much of the intervention and was stabilized without complication.
“Time is muscle,” Dr. Cusnir noted. “When a patient presents quickly and we can restore circulation rapidly, outcomes improve significantly.”
The Critical Importance of Time to Treatment
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. In cardiac emergencies, rapid evaluation and access to interventional cardiology services are critical factors in patient outcomes. Delays in treatment increase the likelihood of permanent heart damage and long-term complications.
Physicians at HCA Florida Westside Hospital emphasize that immediate recognition of symptoms and swift access to comprehensive cardiac services can be lifesaving.
The patient later reflected on the coordinated response he witnessed.
“It was calm. No one panicked. Everyone was focused and professional,” he said. “If something feels wrong, act.”
His experience highlights the importance of community awareness, rapid triage protocols, and the availability of advanced cardiovascular services within minutes of symptom onset.
About HCA Florida Westside Hospital
HCA Florida Westside Hospital has been serving Broward County, South Florida and international patients for more than 50 years. As a 24-hour comprehensive healthcare facility, the 250-bed hospital provides a full range of medical services, including emergency care, a Comprehensive Stroke Center, orthopedics, cardiology, surgery and oncology. The hospital is committed to delivering advanced healthcare services with a compassionate, patient-focused approach for the Broward community.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. As one of the state’s leading healthcare networks, HCA Florida Healthcare’s 11,100 experienced physicians and more than 84,000 colleagues deliver equitable, evidence-based, collaborative care through more than 12 million patient encounters each year.
In 2024, HCA Florida Healthcare provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care and contributed more than $3.7 million to community organizations across the state. The network offers access to highly trained specialists, including Florida’s most comprehensive cardiovascular network, and is a leader in training future healthcare professionals through 151 Graduate Medical Education programs across 27 hospitals, supporting more than 2,400 residents. For more information, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
