No one should have to go through the struggle of dealing with injuries caused by medical errors. Unfortunately, there are many times when patients are left to deal with the consequences of mistakes made by their medical providers.
One condition that is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all is a heart attack. There are a few reasons for this. First, the symptoms do tend to overlap with other health conditions. Second, the symptoms may come and go.
Misdiagnosing a heart attack is a serious issue, though, because time is of the essence when treating this life-threatening medical condition. It’s essential that medical providers are able to identify and treat a heart attack efficiently to prevent a poor outcome or patient’s death.
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
The symptoms of a heart attack include:
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- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the jaw
- Back pain
- Pain or numbness in the left arm
- Chest pain
What should happen when you seek medical attention?
When you go to the emergency room or to an appointment with your medical provider, there are a few things that should happen. First, your medical provider should check your temperature, pulse and blood pressure. An electrocardiogram may be used to check the electrical activity within the heart. Blood tests may also be used to identify cardiac enzymes that are elevated in the blood.
What should you do if you have a serious heart attack because of a misdiagnosis?
With early diagnosis, many heart conditions can be treated. With a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of a heart attack, a person’s life could be put at risk or they could be left with more severe complications than if they’d received early treatment. If you’re left with a disability or complications as a result of a misdiagnosis, it’s a good time to look into your rights as a victim of malpractice.