Key Takeaways
- A heart attack needs immediate diagnosis because heart cells die without oxygen and cannot be revived, so a misdiagnosis can be fatal.
- The CDC reports an average of 735,000 Americans experience a heart attack every year.
- Symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats, fatigue, and discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw, stomach or back.
- Doctors may use electrocardiograms, chest x-rays, cardiac catheterizations and heart MRIs, yet heart attacks have a higher misdiagnosis rate than other conditions.
- Because symptoms overlap, heart attacks can be misdiagnosed as acid reflux, heartburn, pneumonia, anxiety attacks, angina or gallstones.
Portland Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Lawyers
Heart attacks are all too common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 735,000 Americans experience a heart attack every year, and 610,000 people die from it. That means that every one in four deaths in the nation is caused by cardiac arrest. However, the number can be reduced. Our Portland heart attack misdiagnosis lawyer is prepared to fight for you or your injured loved one if an error led to your injury.
Speak to a Portland Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Assistance Today
A heart attack, also known as an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is very serious and can oftentimes be fatal. It requires immediate diagnosis and attention for the best outcomes. However, because of medical negligence and misdiagnosis, too many individuals die from heart attacks. Such carelessness should not go unaddressed. If your loved one has suffered a due to a medical error, our Portland misdiagnosis attorney can help! Contact our office today for a free case review.
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
What are Symptoms of a Heart Attack?
A heart attack occurs when blood supply is blocked from entering the heart. The longer the cells in the heart go without oxygen provided by the blood, the quicker they die. Once cells in the heart die, they cannot be revived. That is why it is imperative to act quickly with heart attacks.
Common symptoms to look for in a heart attack are:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cold Sweats
- Discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw, stomach, or back
- Fatigue
When someone experiences these symptoms, most of us know to seek immediate medical attention. Doctors and physicians will usually conduct multiple tests that include: electrocardiograms, chest x-rays, cardiac catheterizations, and heart MRI’s to identify the problem. However, heart attacks have a higher rate of misdiagnosis than other conditions.
Because the symptoms are so similar, there are a variety of other diseases that doctors can misdiagnose heart attacks with.
Some misdiagnosis include:
- Acid reflux
- Heartburn
- Pneumonia
- Anxiety attack
- Angina
- Gallstones
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
How our Portland Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Lawyer Can Help
Doctors and caretakers are under oath to provide the best care they can. Because heart attacks are so common, doctors should be aware of what symptoms to look for. However, too many cases go misdiagnosed. If you or your loved one has suffered negative consequences because of a misdiagnosis, you may have cause to take legal action. Contact our Portland medical malpractice attorneys for a consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.