Avoidable Heart Attack

We regularly act for clients who have experienced either misdiagnosis of or delay in diagnosing a Heart Attack (sometimes referred to as a myocardial infarction).

The patient’s medical history is critical in diagnosing a heart attack and sometimes may provide the only clue to prompt diagnosis.

Patients with typical acute heart attack usually present with chest pain which has been intense and unremitting for 30 to 60 minutes. It is usually a severe dull gripping or heavy pain in the centre of the chest radiating to the left arm or to the neck.

Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, abnormal pulse, coughing, nausea with or without vomiting and profuse sweating.
Initial evaluation should include obtaining a brief history and performing a focused physical examination. Within the examination, it is important for the medical professional to ask questions characterising the pain and the important associated symptoms and to evaluate the patient’s past history of or risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

GP Practices have clear policies governing the management of patients presenting with these symptoms which should usually mandate an emergency ambulance transfer to the nearest Accident and Emergency department.