Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorneys Fight for Victims of Misdiagnosed Heart Disease
Heart disease includes a variety of cardiovascular conditions caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries of the body. As explained by the American Heart Association, this causes a narrowing of the arteries that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Prevention is the best form of defense against heart disease, which includes the proper diagnosis of risk factors. But, each year, physicians miss or improperly diagnose the symptoms of heart disease. At Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A., our experienced Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland medical malpractice attorneys provide earnest representation for individuals affected by heart disease misdiagnosis.
Diagnosing Heart Disease
A missed or delayed heart disease diagnosis can result in extremely serious health complications or even death. About 610,000 individuals die from heart disease each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the condition is a leading cause of death for both men and women, misdiagnosis is especially common among females. This is because the symptoms of heart disease are often significantly less pronounced for females than those commonly exhibited by males.
Regardless of the presenting patient’s gender, it is the physician’s responsibility to adequately review the individual’s symptoms and order the proper testing. All too often, doctors and hospital emergency staff members mistake the symptoms of heart disease for other conditions, including:
- Heartburn
- Anxiety
- Acid reflux
- Bronchitis
- Angina
- Musculoskeletal complications
This lack of accurate diagnosis leaves the condition to worsen, ultimately resulting in heart attack, stroke or death.
