It’s a story which much too sadly resembles that of former New York Times journalist David E. Rosenbaum: a medical examiner has ruled that Edward L. Givens, a 39-year-old resident of Northeast Washington, died of a heart attack late last year after paramedics adjudged him to be simply suffering from a bad case of heartburn. Givens’ family is planning to sue the city for “individual acts of negligence.” Reportedly, emergency medical workers who responded to the scene did not transport Givens to a hospital, even though he was found by a relative on December 3 unable to breathe and complaining of chest pains. On the other hand, heart disease — which Givens suffered from and had a family history of — is one of the more difficult diagnoses to make in responding to an emergency call. According to the Post’s report, “an electrocardiogram was performed and that the paramedics said it was normal.” But, considering the widespread scrutiny EMS services are currently under, why wouldn’t first responders simply take Givens to a hospital — especially considering his family history of heart problems?