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How common are misdiagnoses in cardiac patients?

On Behalf of | Jun 3, 2021 | Medical Malpractice |

The most common reason why Pennsylvania cardiac patients get the wrong diagnosis is that they initially avoid talking with their doctors. Misdiagnoses account for up to 16% of those with heart failure that visit a hospital. If a doctor refers you to a specialist without knowing all the details, it can increase the likelihood of a misdiagnosis.

How do misdiagnoses come about?

Not all misdiagnoses are a result of direct negligence or medical malpractice. Physicians spend a great deal of time studying, but there are elements in their work that remain beyond our scope. Cases that do result in misdiagnoses due to a physician come about via cognitive errors. Proper steps must be taken to analyze your medical condition. When those steps are omitted or taken lightly, a misdiagnosis can happen.

Why should I be concerned with a misdiagnosis?

What a physician misdiagnoses today can lead to larger unresolved health issues later on. Part of it is that necessary treatment might be ignored or overlooked as a result of believing the condition is due to something other than the real cause. You can expect to spend more money when treating illnesses that you don’t have. Spending less money than you need to for the right remedy is, likewise, a concern that can lead to greater challenges in cardiac health.

Can I personally prevent a medical misdiagnosis?

You must be diligent about tracking your visits to the doctor and recording their interactions with you. Unless you’ve studied medicine, then you won’t be able to diagnose yourself without help. Thus, you need to hold your physicians accountable. For starters, you can speak with multiple doctors when you suspect that your current diagnosis isn’t accurate. Ask them all to be transparent and to confirm your visits with them in writing.

Being diligent and exhausting your legal actions

Understanding your health starts with you visiting a doctor. Millions of Americans fail to get the medical help they need because they refuse to find out their conditions. Since misdiagnoses can occur without your physician’s neglect, your visit to them must be professional. You must allow them to do their job, but you should also be transparent with them about your medical history, as well as any fears of misdiagnosis. From there, preserve your paperwork, and find second opinions from other professionals.