February is American Heart Month, a reminder that cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. While many heart attacks are treated promptly and successfully, others are misdiagnosed or delayed—sometimes with devastating consequences.
For patients and families, the most painful part is often this: the warning signs were there.
This article explains how heart attack misdiagnosis happens, what symptoms are commonly overlooked, and when a delayed diagnosis may rise to the level of medical malpractice.
Heart attacks are not always dramatic. The classic “crushing chest pain” presentation is only one version. In reality, symptoms can vary widely based on age, sex, and underlying health conditions.
Emergency departments frequently see patients with:
Because these symptoms overlap with anxiety, acid reflux, musculoskeletal pain, and gastrointestinal issues, providers sometimes attribute cardiac symptoms to less serious causes.
However, medical professionals are trained to rule out life-threatening conditions first. When appropriate cardiac testing is not performed—or results are misread—the consequences can be fatal.
Research consistently shows that women are more likely than men to experience:
Women may report back pain, extreme fatigue, or indigestion rather than chest pain. When these complaints are minimized or attributed to stress, the window for treatment can close quickly.
A delay of even hours can significantly increase heart muscle damage.
Most heart attack misdiagnosis cases arise in:
Common failures include:
A key question in any potential medical malpractice claim is whether the provider followed accepted standards of care under the circumstances.
Not every bad outcome is malpractice. The law requires proof of four elements:
For example, if a patient presents with classic cardiac symptoms, receives no cardiac workup, is discharged, and later suffers a massive heart attack that could have been prevented with timely treatment—that may constitute negligence.
However, if appropriate testing was performed and results were reasonably interpreted at the time, a poor outcome alone may not support a viable claim.
Each case is fact-specific.
When heart attacks are not promptly identified, patients may experience:
Even survivors may face lifelong limitations, including reduced physical capacity and ongoing medical care.
Patients and families should seek immediate care for:
If symptoms are dismissed but continue or worsen, seeking a second evaluation can be critical.
If you believe a heart attack was missed or delayed:
New York has strict statutes of limitations for medical malpractice claims. Waiting too long can prevent recovery entirely.
Medical malpractice firms consult with independent cardiology experts to review:
The analysis focuses on whether earlier intervention would likely have changed the outcome.
Heart disease affects families across Long Island, NYC and New York State. While many providers deliver excellent care, errors still occur. When warning signs are overlooked and harm follows, families may have legal options.
Understanding those options begins with a careful review of the facts.
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a delayed or missed heart attack diagnosis, consulting experienced counsel can help determine whether medical negligence played a role.