E.R. Heart Attack Misdiagnosis
Heart attacks are very serious health conditions; they are responsible for a relatively high percentage of deaths in the United States every year. If a person is having a heart attack, it is extremely important that he or she receives prompt and attentive medical care. If proper, timely treatment is not received, the consequences can include permanent muscle damage, heart failure, stroke, aneurysm, and death.
Heart attacks can vary widely in severity and symptoms, so emergency room personnel must pay close attention in order to not overlook a potentially deadly condition. Even vague symptoms such as dizziness or chills can be indicators that a person has suffered a heart attack. When a misdiagnosed heart attack causes severe injuries, the Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. work hard to protect victims’ rights.
Common Heart Attack Misdiagnoses
A negligent emergency room medical professional may incorrectly dismiss the symptoms of a minor heart attack as being caused by:
- Heartburn
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Pneumonia
- Indigestion
- Panic or anxiety attack
- Bronchitis
These conditions clearly do not warrant the same urgent care as an individual suffering from a heart attack should receive. As a result, the patient may receive insufficient treatment that allows his or her condition to greatly worsen, or even causes additional damage.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered a heart attack that was improperly diagnosed in the emergency room, you may be eligible for compensation. For more information, or to discuss the possibility of filing a lawsuit, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130.