Heart Attack

Erie, Pennsylvania Negligence Attorney - Heart Attack or Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of death in the United States as well as in most industrialized nations throughout the world. Approximately 800,000 people in the US are affected and in spite of a better awareness of presenting symptoms, 250,000 die prior to presentation to a hospital.

In general, a heart attack can occur at any age, but its incidence rises with age. Approximately 50% of all heart attacks in the US occur in people younger than 65 years of age. Due to the typical profile for myocardial infarction in older men (usually over 45), it is often under diagnosed in women or younger adults who are generally the most active.

An acute heart attack may have unique presentations in individual patients. The degree of symptoms ranges from none at all to sudden cardiac death. Despite the diversity of presenting symptoms, there are some characteristic symptoms:

• Chest pain described as a pressure sensation, fullness, or squeezing in the mid portion of the thorax
• Radiation of chest pain into the jaw/teeth, shoulder, arm, and/or back
• Associated dyspnea or shortness of breath
• Associated epigastria discomfort with or without nausea and vomiting
• Associated diaphoresis or sweating
• Syncope or near-syncope without other cause
• Impairment of cognitive function without other cause

At the emergency room[link to er page], a heart attack may be misdiagnosed as heartburn, a panic attack or even gallstones. Whichever the case, many heart attacks go undiagnosed. Often misdiagnoses leads to expensive medical bills, loss of wages, lost time spent away from those you love. In some cases, failure to diagnose a heart attack may lead to death.[link to wrongful death].

Why try to deal with insurance companies on your own. You need an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who knows what professionals to ask the right questions. Let my experience help you. Contact my law office today for a free consultation regarding your case. There is no fee unless recovery is made. Call today 814-452-4473.

My law office is located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania (PA), within three blocks of both the federal and state courthouses. I have free parking and am handicap accessible. I serve medical malpractice and personal injury clients in Northwest Pennsylvania (PA), Erie County, Crawford County and Venango County including Erie, Meadville, Union City, Corry, Franklin, Oil City and Titusville.