Heart Attack Misdiagnosis
The average human heart beats roughly 42 millions times a year. Whenever we go in for physicals, we expect that doctors will make sure our tickers are running smoothly, and that any warning signs of a coronary problem will be addressed as soon as possible. Tragically, that is not always the case.
The Brooklyn, NY medical malpractice lawyers of Zucker & Regev have helped many clients who’ve suffered serious harm because a doctor failed to diagnose their heart attack or heart disease. We’d like to discuss why such mistakes are so costly and potentially deadly.
Statistics on Heart Attacks
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 735,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. Of that number, 525,000 will suffer their first heart attack, while the rest suffer their second heart attack or more. The CDC also notes that 610,000 people die from heart disease every year. That means that 1 in every 4 deaths is the result of heart disease, which includes fatal heart attacks.
The numbers above give you an idea of how common heart attacks are, and why we expect doctors to properly diagnose this medical emergency as well as the risk factors for heart attacks like coronary disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attacks
The most common symptoms of heart attacks include:
- Chest pain
- Tightness or pressure in the chest
- Radiating pain or tightness of the arms, neck, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Sudden dizziness
- Cold sweat
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Abdominal pain
Heart disease warning signs and risk factors that doctor’s should notice include:
- Abnormal heartbeat and palpitations
- Early exhaustion and fatigue
- Chest discomfort
- Persistent cough
- Swelling of the feet and ankles
- Fainting spells
If patients are obese or suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), all of these symptoms and risk factors must be taken more seriously given the dangers to wellness. When doctors fail to note the warning signs and do not diagnose heart disease or a heart attack, our Brooklyn law firm can help with a medical malpractice lawsuit.
The Dangers of a Heart Attack Misdiagnosis
If a heart attack goes undiagnosed or improperly diagnosed, it could prove fatal. Delays in treatment could mean a life-saving surgery is not performed, or that a minor heart attack could trigger an even more severe heart attack down the road.
Delayed Diagnosis of Heart Disease Risk Factors
If doctors do not diagnose and attempt to treat a patient’s heart disease in a timely fashion, they are essentially turning that patient’s heart into a ticking time bomb. Early treatment and preventative care administered sooner rather than later could mean the difference between turning overall health around for the better and a serious cardiac episode.
Holding Negligent Doctors Accountable
When doctors make any kind of mistake that results in injury or hospitalization of a patient, it’s crucial that they be held accountable for their actions. Our medical malpractice attorneys will seek damages to cover additional costs of medical care and, in the case of fatal medical mistakes, funerary costs. We can also seek damages for emotional pain and suffering and other losses associated with the health care provider’s negligence.
Contact Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys
If you live in Brooklyn and would like to learn more about your legal options following delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of a heart attack, be sure to contact our team of medical malpractice attorneys. The team at Zucker & Regev can be reached by phone at (718) 624-1211.
