Several factors can increase the risk of a heart attack:
- Smoking: Damages the lining of the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis.
- High Blood Pressure: Can cause arteries to become stiff and narrow.
- High Cholesterol: Increases the buildup of plaques.
- Diabetes: Can damage blood vessels and lead to atherosclerosis.
- Obesity: Often associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
- Lack of Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps maintain the health of the heart and blood vessels.
- Unhealthy Diet: Diets high in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and sugar can contribute to heart disease.
- Family History: A family history of heart disease can increase the risk.
- Age: The risk of heart attack increases with age, especially after age 45 for men and 55 for women.
- Stress: Chronic stress can damage arteries and worsen other risk factors for heart disease.
What is a Heart Attack Misdiagnosis?
A heart attack misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor fails to recognize that a patient is having a heart attack and, as a result, the patient does not receive the prompt medical treatment he or she needs. In many cases, a heart attack misdiagnosis is the result of a doctor failing to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain or discomfort in the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
Despite what many people believe, a heart attack does not always cause severe chest pain. In fact, many people who have heart attacks experience only mild chest pain or no chest pain at all. As a result, they are more likely to be misdiagnosed by a doctor.
Additionally, women are more likely to experience atypical heart attack symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, and pain in the back or jaw. As a result, they are also more likely to be misdiagnosed by a doctor.
Common Causes of Heart Attack Misdiagnoses
There are many reasons why a doctor may fail to recognize that a patient is having a heart attack. In some cases, a doctor may simply fail to take a patient's complaints seriously. In other cases, a doctor may fail to order the appropriate tests to determine if a patient is having a heart attack.
Some of the most common causes of heart attack misdiagnoses include:
- Failure to perform a thorough physical examination
- Failure to order the appropriate diagnostic tests to determine if a patient is having a heart attack
- Failure to properly interpret the results of a diagnostic test
- Failure to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack
- Failure to take a patient's complaints seriously
- Failure to refer a patient to a specialist when appropriate
In order to prove a heart attack misdiagnosis case, you will need to demonstrate that your doctor was negligent and that his or her negligence resulted in your heart attack misdiagnosis. To do so, you will need to present expert testimony that supports your claim. Our Albuquerque heart attack misdiagnosis lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case and can represent you throughout the entire legal process.
Call (888) 579-3866 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Albuquerque heart attack misdiagnosis attorney.
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