Heart Attack
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow and oxygen delivered to the heart muscle (myocardium) itself is insufficient and a portion of the heart muscle actually dies (becomes infarcted). Heart attacks are sometimes, but not always, preceded by angina. Angina is heart pain due to coronary artery disease. It is usually recurrent, and sometimes precipitated by physical exercise, emotional upset or excitement, or consumption of a meal. The pain of heart attack is typically severe, located in the center of the chest, pressure-like, persistent and may be associated with shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and radiation of pain into the arm, shoulder, back, neck and jaw. The heart attack may be precipitated by the same factors as angina. Heart attacks often occur at night, and in the early hours of the morning.
Negative laboratory tests do not rule out a heart attack, nor does a normal EKG. Treatment varies greatly depending upon a number of factors, which may include oral or intravenous administration of nitroglycerin, aspirin, intravenous administration of antiarrhythmic drugs (medications to prevent an abnormal heartbeat from developing), morphine for pain relief, oxygen, "clot-busting" drugs, and angioplasty with placement of stents in the coronary arteries, and coronary bypass.
In general, the sooner the diagnosis is established and treatment is instituted, the better the outcome. Misdiagnosis and delay can result in otherwise preventable heart damage and death.
Heart attacks may be misdiagnosed as heartburn, acid indigestion, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, often seen with hiatal hernia), or similar conditions. For reasons that are unclear, a significant number of persons having a heart attack will experience pain relief from antacids. Response to antacids, therefore, cannot be used to rule out a heart attack.
In consultation with specialists in cardiology, cardiac surgery and other fields of medicine, the lawyers at the Sweeney Law Firm will work with physicians to analyze your case and provide you with answers about what happened and whether or not malpractice occurred. If so, the Sweeney Law Firm may be able to recover money damages to compensate you and your family for pain and suffering, medical care and rehabilitation expenses, lost income, loss of life and other damages.
Call the Sweeney Law Firm at 260-420-3137 or toll free at 1-866-793-6339. Get answers to your questions. Learn your legal rights. There is no cost or obligation for us to evaluate your case.
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