Approximately 60,000 people each year are misdiagnosed with a heart attack because they have heart attack symptoms.
They are rushed to a hospital emergency room only to be sent home with assurances that they are fine.
Many suffer irreparable harm and even death that could have been prevented had their symptoms been properly diagnosed and treated.
Misdiagnoses involving heart attacks is a common form of medical malpractice, particularly among women.
More than 1.2 million new and recurrent heart attacks occur annually in the United States, with about one-third resulting in death.
It is estimated that 2-4% of patients who go to emergency rooms with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are discharged without necessary treatment.
Common mistakes that happen include: a doctors’ failure to perform tests to rule out heart attacks, failure to investigate patient medical histories and risk factors, and misread tests.
Women are less likely to present with classic angina and also more often experience acute coronary syndrome without chest pain, among other reasons.
A woman’s angina symptoms can be different from the classic angina symptoms. For example, a woman may have chest pain that feels like a stabbing, pulsating or sharp form of chest pain rather than the more typical vise-like pressure.
Women are also more likely to experience symptoms, such as nausea, shortness of breath or abdominal pain. These differences may lead to delays in seeking treatment.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury or death as a result of a missed or misdiagnosed heart ailment, contact us today.
Call us toll-free 1-888-GARRETT (1-888-427-7388) or fill out our contact form for a free legal consultation.
