Missed and Delayed Identification of Heart Attacks in Women

Timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of a heart attack can be the difference between life and death. However, studies show that women who report to emergency medical settings are more likely to be misdiagnosed or subjected to dangerous delays. This frightening issue decreases overall patient safety and may form the basis for a Michigan medical malpractice lawsuit.

Why Are Heart Attacks in Women Often Misdiagnosed?

Heart attack symptoms in women often differ significantly from the classic left side, radiating chest pain that’s the most common symptom in men. As a result, emergency medical personnel may fail to recognize the signs, leading to an incorrect or delayed diagnosis. Some of the most commonly overlooked symptoms in women include:

• Shortness of breath (often occurring without chest pain).
• Unexplained fatigue or weakness, sometimes days or weeks before the event.
• Pain in the jaw, neck, or back.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms.
• Indigestion or heartburn-like symptoms.
• Cold sweats.

Emergency departments and primary care physicians may attribute these symptoms to conditions such as anxiety, acid reflux, menopause, menstrual issues, pregnancy, overwork, stress, dietary or digestion issues, and countless other conditions (especially if the patient is young or lacks other obvious cardiac risk factors). Women are often encouraged to return home and try to relax or sleep.

Early intervention is key to reducing the damage caused by a heart attack. At the least, misdiagnosing a cardiac event can cause a woman to endure needless suffering and preventable injury while her condition worsens. At worst, the delay can lead to fatal consequences.

Negligent Testing and Diagnosis in Emergency Settings

Several tests can help doctors confirm a heart attack. However, emergency room staff may fail to order them or misinterpret their results in otherwise healthy women. Common forms of negligence in diagnosing a heart attack include:

• Failure to perform or correctly interpret an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG). An ECG is a primary diagnostic tool for detecting a heart attack. Women may have subtler ECG changes than men, and emergency staff who do not properly analyze these nuances can miss the diagnosis. Failing to order an ECG promptly or respond to warning signs can delay critical treatment.
• Failure to order blood tests. A protein called troponin is released when heart muscle damage occurs. A simple blood test can detect elevated troponin levels, confirming a heart attack. If this test is not ordered promptly, a woman experiencing a heart attack may be sent home without treatment.
• Misinterpretation of test results. Even when tests are performed, emergency physicians and radiologists may misinterpret the findings, especially if they assume a low risk for heart attack based on the patient’s age, gender, or lack of classic symptoms.
• Inadequate follow-up and observation. Some women with suspected heart attack symptoms may not be monitored for long enough in the emergency room. If a patient is discharged too soon without adequate observation or follow-up testing, the consequences can be deadly.
• Failure to conduct additional imaging or stress testing. In cases of unclear ECGs or borderline troponin levels, it may be necessary to perform additional imaging tests, such as an echocardiogram or cardiac MRI. Women are more likely than men to experience Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI), a type of heart attack that does not always show clear ECG changes. Without further testing, these cases can be overlooked.

Pursuing a Michigan Medical Malpractice Claim for Misdiagnosis

In Michigan, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider deviates from the standard of care, leading to patient harm. When a heart attack is missed or diagnosed too late, resulting in preventable injury or death, the patient or their family may have legal grounds for a lawsuit.

To prove medical malpractice in Michigan, a plaintiff must establish the following elements:

1. Duty of care. The healthcare provider had a duty to provide competent medical care.
2. Breach of duty. The provider failed to act according to accepted medical standards, such as neglecting to order appropriate tests.
3. Causation. The provider’s failure directly led to harm, such as permanent heart damage or death.
4. Damages. The patient suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm due to the misdiagnosis.

A plaintiff must provide expert testimony from a qualified medical professional, such as a cardiologist or emergency medicine expert, to support their claim that their provider failed to meet the standard of care.

Michigan law generally requires medical malpractice claims to be filed within two years of the alleged negligence or within six months of discovering the malpractice. However, numerous exceptions exist, including cases of fraudulent concealment or severe disability. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.

Recovering Damages in a Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Case

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a delayed or missed heart attack diagnosis in Michigan, seek legal counsel immediately. A medical malpractice attorney can help investigate the case, gather expert testimony, and fight to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages. Misdiagnosed heart attacks in women remain a significant problem, and healthcare providers must be held accountable when negligence occurs. Raising awareness and pursuing legal action can help prevent future misdiagnoses and improve patient safety for Michigan women.