When a heart attack strikes, every minute matters. Medical science has long established that delay means damage. In the case of a heart attack, that damage can be permanent—even fatal. Medical providers have a clear duty to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and to diagnose and treat the patient without delay. When that duty is ignored, the patient’s health may suffer, and their life may be at risk.

Understanding Heart Attacks

A heart attack, known formally as a “myocardial infarction,” occurs when blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked. Without oxygen-rich blood, the heart muscle begins to die.

A heart attack is a critical emergency that requires immediate medical intervention. Failure to diagnose and treat a heart attack can lead to severe complications, including serious injuries, life-threatening medical conditions and, in the most serious cases, death.

How Blocked Arteries Cause a Heart Attack

Most heart attacks are caused by coronary artery disease, which can occur when plaque builds up inside the arteries. Over time, blood clots may form where the plaque accumulates, and the plaque can harden and cause a condition called atherosclerosis, a tightening of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. If a blood clot impedes circulation and reduces or stops blood flow, or if plaque ruptures and forms a clot, a heart attack can result.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Symptoms may vary, but common signs of a heart attack include:

• Chest pain or pressure, often described as a feeling of fullness, heaviness, or tightness in the chest
• Pain spreading to the arm, back, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea of vomiting
• Cold sweats
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Fatigue

Heart Attack vs. Cardiac Arrest

A heart attack is a circulatory problem caused by blocked blood flow. Cardiac arrest is an electrical problem that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. Cardiac arrest can lead to a heart attack, but they are not the same thing.

Minutes Matter

Early detection and intervention to treat a heart attack is crucial. The heart muscle begins to suffer damage within minutes. Early intervention can restore blood flow and minimize damage to the heart muscle.

When Doctors Miss the Signs

When a doctor fails to diagnose and intervene to treat a heart attack, the results can be catastrophic. Without timely medical intervention, the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen, which can further damage the heart. This can have a lifelong impact on the heart’s ability to continue to pump blood and can lead to heart failure, arrhythmia, or cardiogenic shock, in which the heart can no longer circulate enough blood to support the body. Failure to diagnose a heart attack also increases the risk of subsequent, potentially more severe heart attacks.

Lasting Harm of a Doctor’s Failure to Act

Failure to diagnose a heart attack can lead to severe, long-lasting medical complications that profoundly affect the patient’s long-term health and well-being, including new, irreversible injuries and even wrongful death. Death caused by a heart attack can cause emotional trauma for the victim’s loved ones and result in significant financial strain caused by unexpected medical bills and loss of income.

Holding Doctors Liable for Failure to Diagnose a Heart Attack

Doctors and other medical providers can be held liable for failure to diagnose a heart attack. The victim’s family can file a medical malpractice claim seeking compensation for the loss of their loved one. However, claims for medical malpractice and wrongful death are complex legal cases that require a meticulous review of the circumstances by an experienced medical malpractice attorney.

Heart attacks are among the most commonly missed or misdiagnosed adverse health events for adults. If you believe your loved one suffered additional injuries or was killed because of a failure to diagnose a heart attack, the medical malpractice attorneys at Robenalt Law can help. Our dedicated team of medical malpractice lawyers is committed to fighting for your rights.

We know how hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies handle medical malpractice claims, and we understand how daunting it can be to face these organizations on your own. Put our extensive expertise in medical malpractice litigation to work for you. We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case.

The deadline to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Ohio is typically one year from the date of injury or from when the condition was discovered. While there are exceptions, you must act quickly and contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to protect your right to file.

Contact Robenalt Law Today

Robenalt Law has offices in Cleveland and Columbus, and handles medical malpractice claims throughout Ohio and nationwide. Call our Cleveland office at (216) 223-7535 or our Columbus office at (614) 695-3800 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.