Heart Arrhythmia Misdiagnosis

Millions of individuals suffer from some form of cardiac arrhythmia. While most cases are benign, some can be quite serious, and require immediate medical attention. Only with a quick response can the patient reduce potential complications or even death.

Heart Arrhythmia Symptoms

Most individuals suffering an arrhythmia experience a rapid heartbeat with the flutter in the chest. Others notice their heart skipping a beat. Nearly all arrhythmia experiences involve one or more symptoms including being out of breath, fainting, dizziness, or chest pains.

Sinus arrhythmia is the most common experience when the heart rate changes while taking a breath. In many incidences, individuals that suffer arrhythmia also experience anxiety.

Even though many men and women experience mild forms of arrhythmia, where an irregular heartbeat loses its rhythm, sometimes the condition can be severe and life-threatening.

In many cases, serious life-threatening arrhythmias are associated with a variety of medical conditions including:

• Mild cardiac infarct
• Acute congestive heart failure
• Acute pulmonary disease
• Pulmonary embolism
• Metabolic disorder
• Aortic dissection
• Stroke

Early Identification Is Crucial to Recovery From Heart Arrhythmia

Identifying a serious, life-threatening heart arrhythmia early on is crucial to the patient’s outcome. This is because minimizing the negative impact of heart disease on the body requires an early diagnosis, followed by thorough and efficient treatments.

Anytime a doctor misdiagnosis heart disease, or does not provide adequate treatment, the patient can suffer severe injury, or experience a wrongful death.

Early detection of a severe heart arrhythmia usually includes listening to the heart’s rhythm using a stethoscope. Additionally, doctors will refer the patient front electrocardiogram (EKG) because of its precise accuracy in diagnosing arrhythmias. In many incidences, an arrhythmia does not occur during the exam, even when the patient experiences symptoms at other times.

Doctors have a variety of tests available to accurately detect and diagnose the patient’s medical condition to determine if an arrhythmia is the cause of the symptoms. The physician can take a medical history and perform a comprehensive physical exam. Having the patient perform a battery of tests usually provide accurate information to determine if the heart arrhythmia is the result of heart disease.

Medical Malpractice Cases Involving Physicians’ Failure To Diagnose and Treat Heart Arrhythmia

Personal injury attorneys that specialize in medical malpractice handle claims where the health care provider was negligent in their actions. In most claims for financial compensation, the doctors and medical facility/hospital are likely financially liable.

Experienced medical malpractice attorneys handle a variety of cases for their clients where specific actions or inactions by the medical staff were performed.

There negligent and careless actions often include:

• Failing to thoroughly investigate the patient’s heart failure symptoms including chest pain, numbness in the arms, and shortness of breath
• Failing to refer the patient to additional blood work, testing, screening, and an EKG (electrocardiogram)
• Failing to interpret test results properly
• Failing to install a defibrillator or pacemaker
• Failing to diagnose the condition accurately
• Failing to provide proper treatment after diagnosis
• Any treatment or prescription errors that relate to anti-coagulating medications such as Heparin and Coumadin blood thinners

Filing A Medical Malpractice Lawsuit To Recover Compensation For Heart Arrhythmia Errors

If the health care provider failed to diagnose a severe case of arrhythmia or other heart disease adequately, and neglected to provide follow-up treatment, they can often be held liable. Skilled personal injury attorneys that specialize in medical malpractice cases handle cardiac arrhythmia claims. The lawyer’s efforts protect the rights of their client to obtain financial compensation.

The lawyer will fight for adequate recompense to cover a variety of expenses including:

• Medical bills for procedures, treatments and surgeries
• Lost wages (both past earnings and the loss of potential future earnings)
• Funeral costs and burial expenses for cases involving wrongful death
• Emotional and mental anguish
• Suffering and pain

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC assist their clients by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against all responsible parties. This often includes the diagnosing or treating doctor, all responsible supervising physicians, other medical staff, lab technicians and pharmacists along with the medical facility or hospital. Call the law firm at (888) 424-5757 for free first consultation.

Our experienced lawyers will evaluate the case and provide advice on the legal options to receive an out-of-court settlement from the responsible parties, or be awarded money at trial. The attorneys work on contingency, and require no upfront fees. Contact us today!