Heart disease is still the leading cause of death for both men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Approximately five million people in the U.S. visit emergency rooms with heart attack symptoms each year. Unfortunately, many of these symptoms are similar to common non-life threatening conditions, and doctors continue to misdiagnose the patient’s severe medical condition.
Some of the most common mistakes made during the diagnosis of a heart attack include failure to diagnose the condition in younger patients, failure to recognize the condition in women, and improperly reading a patient’s ECG. Doctors commonly fail to assess the patient’s age, previous heart conditions, medical history, and the patient’s lifestyle. Failure to diagnose a heart attack often occurs in the emergency room or the patient’s primary care office.
A recent study led by the Yale School of Public Health found that lesser-known heart attack symptoms, especially in women, aren’t being recognized by doctors and patients alike. Non-chest pain symptoms are often disregarded as acid reflux when in actuality they’re a sign of something more serious. Doctors commonly misdiagnose heart attack symptoms in females as stroke or even anxiety attacks. A New England Journal of Medicine study found that women under the age of 55 were seven times more likely to have their heart attack misdiagnosed than men.
When a patient survives a heart attack misdiagnosis, he or she can suffer physical, emotional, and financial hardships for years after. Seeking legal assistance can help patients and their families cope with the new changes in their lives. If you or a loved one have experienced a heart attack misdiagnosis, reach out to an experienced Maryland medical malpractice lawyer today. The lawyers at Cardaro and Peek are looking forward to your call.
The lawyers at Cardaro & Peek, LLC have the experience and resources necessary to investigate and litigate all types of medical claims throughout Maryland and Washington D.C. Cardaro & Peek, LLC has medical personnel on staff and has access to nationally recognized, board-certified physicians and other experts, to assist in the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of all types of medical malpractice claims. If you or a loved one have experienced malpractice, give us a call at 410-752-6166. Please visit our website www.cardarolaw.com and follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn for more information.
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