As the leading cause of death in the nation, heart attacks are sometimes, but not always, preventable. With these cardiovascular diseases affecting much of the population, physicians and health care providers have an obligation to watch for and monitor signs of the conditions such as high blood pressure, tobacco use, poor nutrition, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes. The signs develop and build over many years, and there are many drugs and treatments now available to prevent and slow the disease's progression.

While physicians cannot bear all of the responsibility for the health of their patient, physicians do occasionally make errors in judgment or treatment that result in a needless negative outcome for a patient. In particular, if a patient enters care with symptoms of a stroke or heart attack, the doctor has a responsibility to fully consider and investigate the complaint. A health care provider should order the appropriate tests, such as stress tests and others in order to confirm or rule out the presence of a heart attack or stroke. When symptoms are minimized or mistaken for another cause, or when health care providers fail to consider all possibilities, employ below professional standards for care, or make an error in procedure or treatment, negligence may have occurred.

If you or someone you know has suffered a stroke or heart attack and you are concerned that medical malpractice may have played a factor, you should seek the advice of an experienced malpractice attorney. The lawyers at The Higgins Firm will successfully fight for your rights. We have the knowledge necessary to offer a thorough and accurate assessment of your situation.

The Facts About Heart Attacks

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. CHD is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, and often results in a heart attack. Each year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer a heart attack. About 460,000 of those heart attacks are fatal. About half of those deaths occur within 1 hour of the start of symptoms and before the person reaches the hospital.

Treatments for a heart attack work to open the blocked artery to restore blood flow as fast as possible to prevent or limit damage to the heart muscle, and to lessen the chance of a repeat attack. The main treatments are thrombolytic ("clot-busting") therapy, other medications, and special procedures, such as angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery. To be most effective, these treatments must be given fast — within 1 hour — of the start of heart attack symptoms. Acting fast can save your life and limit damage to your heart.

Heart Attacks often develop over many years. They may start with blocked arteries or disease and advance quietly for years before triggering an event that sends the person to the doctor or the emergency room. The difficulty with heart attacks is that they often appear at first glance to be another condition. A person who has frequent bouts of heartburn and indigestion may think that a heart attack is just another case of indigestion. Some symptoms of a heart attack are:

• chest discomfort or pain
• jaw pain
• neck pain
• back pain
• arm pain (in one or both arms)
• stomach pain
• shortness of breath
• indigestion
• sweating
• nausea
• light headedness
• dizziness

Doctors are obligated to perform the routine tests to diagnose the heart attack, or rule out its existence. That is why a person goes to the hospital and that is what they have a right to expect. Sadly, if a physician fails to take enough time with the patient to recognize all of the symptoms, they may not order the appropriate tests such as cardiac enzymes, electrocardiogram, EEGs, EKGs, blood tests, nuclear scan, coronary angiography (or arteriography), MRIs, MRAs and CT scans.

With heart attacks, prompt treatment is essential given the availability of drugs and surgical procedures that minimize the potential for irreversible injury. A negligent physician who fails to act to stop the progression of a heart attack puts you at risk for brain damage, paralysis, long-term disability, even death. These types of injuries, though not always unavoidable, are certainly traumatizing, especially when they could have been avoided.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, let us review your case and provide you with a free consultation. If you want an attorney you can talk to, who understands your situation and who will fight for you, call The Higgins Firm for your free consultation, toll-free at 800.705.2121 or contact us online.