Women may have trouble getting treatment for heart attacks
Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Medical Malpractice on March 22, 2018
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, women are more likely than to die within one year of a heart attack than men are. This may be because women don’t necessarily get the same care as men. Women in Ohio and elsewhere who are under the age of 50 may be more likely to experience a spontaneous coronary artery dissection. They may be especially harmful because they tend to be incorrectly diagnosed.
One reason is because doctors have a hard time acknowledging that a healthy woman could have a heart attack. Overall, women are 34 percent less likely to have a bypass or stents installed if their heart attack is because of a blocked artery. However, when women were given the same type of treatment as men did, they were just as likely to survive as a man was.
Doctors may treat heart attacks in women differently because of stereotypes regarding heart disease. In the 19th century, heart disease was considered the hallmark of a man who had worked hard throughout his life. However, it is always a good idea to see a doctor after experiencing symptoms that may indicate a heart attack. Research also indicates that women may refuse surgery because they don’t want to be a burden on those around them.
If a heart attack is not diagnosed correctly, it could lead to a worsened medical condition. In some cases, the misdiagnosis could constitute medical malpractice. An attorney representing a patient harmed in such a manner will need to demonstrate that the health care practitioner or facility failed to exhibit the requisite standard of care.
Jay M. Kelly III - Managing Partner
Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice attorney in Ohio with over 25 years of experience and $200 million in verdicts and settlements. He leads Elk + Elk’s litigation strategy in state and federal courts and has a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay specializes in complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.
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