Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide. It is commonly thought that only men need to worry about CAD, but unfortunately, one in three women will suffer from this disease as well.

CAD refers to the build up of atheromatous plaques (lipids, or fatty acids) inside the walls of the coronary arteries. In its early stages, this build up has little effect and anyone affected will show no signs or symptoms.  However, as the disease progresses over many years or decades, there can be chest pain, pain in other related areas, and also a sudden heart attack, sometimes with death.

How Your Doctor Diagnoses CAD

Most often, someone suffering chest and related pains will see a doctor to find out if anything may be wrong. The doctor should perform tests such as stress tests and angiograms, which can allow him or her to look at the coronary arteries to find signs of the disease.

Given how common CAD is, a doctor should insist that tests be performed, and take every reasonable measure possible before eliminating the possibility of the disease, so that preventative measures can be taken before a serious heart attack occurs.

CAD Diagnosis in Men vs. Women

Unfortunately, many women are victims of a delay in diagnosis of CAD.  The reason is that women are much less likely to have classical chest pains prior to a serious heart attack. Every doctor should know that women do not have the same classical chest pain symptoms as do men.  Often fatigue and pain in other areas, called cardiac equivalents, is all that women have.

Women are highly encouraged to insist on further testing to ensure that they are not in danger of serious heart disease and a potentially fatal heart attack.

Failure to Diagnose CAD may be Medical Malpractice

In some cases, the misdiagnosis, or delay in diagnosis of CAD can result in a severe heart attack, irreversible heart disease, or even death. If any injury does occur, it may be possible that it could have been avoided and the doctor is to blame. Whether the doctor or hospital should be held liable depends on the details of the case.

On one side, it may be that the doctor did everything as he should have, ran all the tests, correctly interpreted the results and the signs, and it was just a matter of course that the disease went undetected for so long.

On the other hand, it is possible that somewhere along the line, a doctor or hospital staff ignored a symptom, disregarded a test result, elected to forgo a test all together or maybe misread a file. In any case, a lack of care means that liability for any resulting injury can be placed on the doctor or hospital, and they can be made to pay for all related damages.

Filing a Lawsuit Against the Doctor or Hospital

If someone suffers a heart attack or loss of a loved one due to a failure to timely diagnose CAD, there is compensation available through a medical malpractice claim.

If it is found that a doctor or hospital failed to act appropriately, then substantial compensation may be available to the victim and his or her family.

It is important to talk to an experienced medical malpractice attorney to find out if the case is one that can be brought to court for justice and compensation for damages. Most medical malpractice lawyers will offer to consult and offer advice at no charge to help victims get answers to their questions.