Misdiagnosis of Symptoms of Impending Heart Attack

Is it possible to claim compensation for the misdiagnosis of symptoms of impending heart attack?

A misdiagnosis of symptoms of impending heart attack can have catastrophic consequences. The classic symptoms of an impending heart attack in men are pressure or pain in the chest and pain in the left arm - although not all cases present the same symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms may only be mild. Women tend to have different symptoms, which can include flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath, heartburn and pain between the shoulders. With women, many of these symptoms can be easily confused with other disorders and illnesses, and a misdiagnosis can be grave.

Even though the classic symptoms of a heart attack are well known by doctors and should be spotted, there are circumstances when the symptoms are far more likely to be due to other illnesses; such as with younger people, when a heart attack would be far less likely to occur. Whether classic or atypical symptoms were present, if the patient was discharged later that day after the misdiagnosis of symptoms of impending heart attack only to suffer from a crippling heart attack, it could be a case of medical negligence.

In such cases, the failure of a doctor to recognise the risks and make a misdiagnosis of symptoms of impending heart attack can be considered to be medical negligence, and as such if it can be proven that their actions or inaction prevented proper treatment from being received, and that the doctor´s breach in their “duty of care” directly led to injury or harm, it is possible to claim compensation.

If you have suffered as a result of a misdiagnosis of symptoms of impending heart attack, or a relative has died of a myocardial infarction when they had visited a doctor after displaying symptoms of an impending heart attack, you should consult a specialist medical malpractice solicitor for advice. If it can be proven that on the balance of probabilities that any competent and attentive doctor would have spotted the signs of a heart attack under the same circumstances, in time to take preventative action you will be eligible to receive compensation.