You or a loved one were experiencing chest problems and went to a doctor or other medical provider for help. Unfortunately, they failed to diagnose your or your loved one’s true ailment and you suffered substantial harm as a result. If you are wondering whether you can sue for failure to diagnose a heart arrhythmia, please read on, then contact an experienced Houston, Texas cardiology malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.
What constitutes heart arrhythmia?
A heart arrhythmia occurs when electrical impulses that coordinate heartbeats are off, such that your heart beats too slow, fast or irregularly. Symptoms of arrhythmia vary, but can include:
- Racing heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Sweating
- Fainting, and
- Altered heartbeat
Because the heart does not pump blood properly, arrhythmias can prove fatal if you do not get timely medical attention, which can happen if a doctor fails to diagnose your condition correctly.
How do you diagnose heart arrhythmia?
Doctors review a patient’s symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam in order to diagnose heart arrhythmia. Testing for arrhythmia may include the use of:
- A stress test
- An electrocardiogram
- An echocardiogram
- An event monitor
- A Holter monitor
- A tilt table test
- An implantable loop recorder, and
- Electrophysiological testing and mapping
How do you treat heart arrhythmia?
Depending on their findings, a doctor or other medical provider has a wide array of possible treatment options, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Placing a pacemaker near your collarbone to send electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat more steadily
- Having you employ vagal maneuvers, such as holding your breath or coughing, and
- Prescribing medication to restore normal heart rhythms
When does failure to diagnose heart arrhythmia constitute medical malpractice in Texas?
In order for you to receive financial compensation for complications arising from a failure to diagnose a cardiac arrhythmia, you should hire a skilled Harris County, Texas medical malpractice lawyer. Together, you must prove the following:
- The existence of a doctor-patient relationship between you and the defendant
- The defendant failed to diagnose cardiac arrhythmia when a similarly-placed doctor in a similar situation would have
- The defendant’s actions or inaction directly caused you harm, and
- The harm resulted in you sustaining financial damages
What kind of damages can you collect for medical malpractice in Texas?
If a judge or jury finds that the defendant’s actions or inaction constituted medical malpractice, they may award you the following economic and non-economic damages:
- The cost of past and future medical bills
- Past and projected lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical and mental pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Our firm is here to help, so give us a call today.
Contact Our Team Today
If you or a loved one suffered from medical malpractice, contact the law firm of Davis & Davis today for a free consultation.
