Failure To Diagnose Heart Attack

Heart disease is a phrase used to describe several different heart conditions, including coronary heart disease, angina, arrhythmias and heart failure.  Generally, coronary heart disease is the condition most often associated with a heart attack. 

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when a portion of the heart muscle does not receive adequate blood supply, and dies.  When the heart muscle dies, it causes chest pain.  Approximately 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack every year. 

While the signs and symptoms of a heart attack are well known, e.g., chest pain, left shoulder pain, jaw pain, neck pain, shortness of breath, cold-sweats, nausea and light-headedness, heart attacks are frequently misdiagnosed due to medical malpractice.  Whether due to internist malpractice, emergency medicine malpractice, cardiology malpractice, or some other medical mistake, the failure to diagnose a heart attack can have devastating consequences because heart muscle dies with each minute appropriate treatment is delayed.  Most undiagnosed heart attacks result in death.

Risk factors for a heart attack include:

• inactivity;
• obesity;
• high blood pressure;
• smoking;
• high cholesterol; and
• diabetes.

When a heart attack is misdiagnosed, it is usually confused with:

• angina;
• acid reflux;
• panic attacks;
• pulled muscle;
• ulcer;
• gallstones; and
• fractured ribs.

The trial lawyers at Bottar Law, PLLC, have decades of experience investigating, prosecuting and trying to verdict medical malpractice cases due to or arising out of the failure to diagnose a heart attack.  If you have been injured due to a preventable heart attack, you and your family may be entitled to compensation for lifelong health care, medical expenses, medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. 

To discuss your case or concerns with an experienced Central New York medical malpractice and birth injury attorney, contact us now at (315) 422-3466, (800) 336-LAWS, or by e-mail at info@bottarleone.com.