Tennessee Emergency Room Misdiagnosis of Heart Attack
Tennessee emergency room doctors have one primary goal: to keep the patient safe from death or serious injury long enough for the patient to be either discharged or transferred to another specialist. This requires ER doctors to address the most serious and life threatening conditions first and foremost. In the case of a patient who goes to the emergency room with chest pain, the most dangerous possible cause of the signs and symptoms is a heart attack. Sadly, chest pain can sometimes be misdiagnosed as indigestion, muscle strain, or another benign illness.
Common Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to a section of the heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked, thus depriving the heart of oxygen. If the blood flow is restricted for long enough, the heart begins to die. Heart attacks are the biggest killer of men and women in the United States. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of a heart attack are:
- Chest pain or chest discomfort. The feeling is often described as pressure or squeezing pain in the middle or left side of the chest. The pain can be mild or strong. The pain can be constant or appear and disappear.
- Upper body pain in the arm, back, or neck. Just like the chest pain, it can be constant or periodic.
- Shortness of breath. This can occur before or during the chest pain.
- Nausea. This includes vomiting, dizziness, and cold sweats.
How do doctors diagnose whether a patient is having a heart attack?
- EKG (Electrocardiogram). This test is a simple and painless diagnostic test that tracks and records the hearts electrical activity. The test determines how fast the heart is beating and whether the rhythm is steady or irregular.
- Blood Tests. A blood test will reveal whether protein is in the bloodstream. Higher levels of protein suggest a heart attack.
- Coronary Angiography. This diagnostic test involves the use of dye and special type of x-ray that reveals the make-up of the patient’s arteries.
If you or a loved one was improperly discharged or misdiagnosed with a heart attack, please consider calling our office and speaking with our in-house registered nurse. Our top ranked Memphis, Tennessee medical malpractice attorneys are standing by to assist. Call 901-680-9777 today.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
Read more about Thomas R. Greer