Women are at greater risk of the serious, often fatal, consequences of a doctor’s failure to diagnose a heart attack than are men. Part of the reason for the increased risk is that heart attacks often present different symptoms in women than in men.
Common Signs of a Heart Attack in Women
It is therefore important for women to understand that the following symptoms may be signs of a heart attack:
- Indigestion
- Powerful and extreme fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fainting
- Chest discomfort or tightness
- Neck, shoulder, and jaw pain
What is missing from the list of female heart-attack symptoms is as important as what is included on the list. Many women—in fact up to about half of all women—never experience the acute, chest-clutching pain that we have all come to recognize as the classic sign of a heart attack.
If you exhibit any of these symptoms then it is important to seek immediate medical attention and to insist that your doctor conduct appropriate tests to determine whether you have suffered a heart attack. Your knowledge, and your insistence, may just save your life.
A Fairfax, VA Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help
Regardless of your knowledge, however, it is your doctor’s responsibility to properly diagnose your heart attack. If you’ve been misdiagnosed or lost a loved one due to a misdiagnosed heart attack, please contact a Washington D.C and Fairfax medical malpractice lawyer for information about your rights.