When Pennsylvania women go the emergency room, they likely expect to receive a diagnosis and appropriate care for the medical condition they have. However, misdiagnosis is not uncommon, and can lead to serious medical complications, expensive medical treatment and other issues.

One of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions is heart attacks, especially in women. Despite the fact that the number one cause of death for women in the United States is heart disease, many doctors misinterpret the signs of a heart attack and miss the chance to treat it. If you suffered because doctors missed the signs of your heart attack, you could have grounds to move forward with a medical malpractice claim.

Unusual signs of heart attacks in women

Heart disease is particularly prevalent in women, yet both patients and doctors miss the signs of heart attacks in females on a regular basis. Some of the symptoms of this serious medical condition include:

• A crushing sensation in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations of the heart
• Nausea and dizziness

The signs of heart attack in women can be tricky, especially when a woman does not exhibit what many doctors consider to be major indicators of a heart problem. Not all women having a heart attack exhibit chest pain, and many times, and doctors often misdiagnose these signs as less severe health problems, such as acid reflux.

In fact, many heart attacks in women do not cause pain, but instead lead to other seemingly minor issues, such as stomach pain. Doctors have the responsibility to listen carefully to the patient, evaluate all of the symptoms and run the appropriate tests. When doctors miss the appropriate diagnosis, it can lead to serious health problems or even death. Because women are more likely to report symptoms not always associated with a heart attack, they are more likely to receive a misdiagnosis.

Your rights as a malpractice victim

Medical malpractice comes in many forms, including misdiagnosis. If you believe that your doctor missed signs of a heart attack, leaving you dealing with serious medical complications, you could have a claim to financial compensation for follow-up treatment and recovery.

It can be helpful to seek a complete evaluation of your case in order to understand the legal options available to you. If you do have a reason to file a medical malpractice claim, there is no time to lose in taking the appropriate steps to pursue a full and fair recovery.