Doctors often misdiagnose heart disease in Virginia women

Over the past three decades, greater numbers of women than men are dying from heart problems, and the gap is increasing as each year progresses. According to the American Heart Association, stroke and heart disease are the number one killers of women in the U.S. Part of the reason for the higher number of heart-related deaths is due to medical mistakes. Frequently, women do not experience chest pain – a common indicator of heart attacks in men – and their doctors misdiagnose their heart conditions. While chest pain is present for some women, other symptoms may be more noticeable.Common signs of heart disease in women include the following:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Indigestion
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Feeling “not quite right”
• Cold sweats

Busy emergency room doctors, and even primary care physicians, often miss telltale signs of heart problems. Frequently, women are told they are having panic or anxiety attacks and are sent home. While the symptoms can be similar, failure of a doctor to take a woman’s symptoms seriously and check for possible heart disease can lead to serious injuries, even death.

Medical malpractice claims

When you or a loved one experiences a serious illness or injury, you place your trust in medical professionals – such as doctors, nurses, physician assistants and other medical staff – to properly diagnose and treat your condition. Unfortunately, many people do not receive the care they expect and deserve, giving rise to medical malpractice claims.

While nothing can compensate for a permanent injury or the death of a loved one, medical malpractice lawsuits provide ways for those who suffer from medical mistakes and omissions to obtain payment or reimbursement for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term medical care
• Scarring and disability
• Lost income
• Loss of companionship

Undiagnosed or improperly treated heart conditions are only two of a number of common types of medical malpractice claims. Other common claims include misdiagnosis of cancer, entopic pregnancy, bone fractures and appendicitis, and surgical or treatment mistakes and complications. Medication errors are common as well and can include instances of dangerous drug interactions, giving someone the wrong prescription or prescribing too much of a drug for that person’s size.

A lawyer can help

If you or a loved one suffers from a misdiagnosis, medical mistake or drug error, consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney. A lawyer knowledgeable about claims against medical professionals can help you obtain compensation to which you and your family are entitled.