If you or a loved one suffered serious harm because a doctor failed to recognize the signs of a heart attack, you may be wondering what to do next. A delayed heart attack diagnosis can be devastating. The longer a heart attack goes untreated, the more likely it is to cause irreversible damage or even death.
Legal options may be available. If your injury was caused by a preventable delay in diagnosis or treatment, it may qualify as medical malpractice. This article will help you understand how delayed diagnoses happen, what steps to take, and whether you may have grounds for a lawsuit in New Mexico.
What If a Heart Attack Was Diagnosed Late?
Heart attacks can happen suddenly, but not all of them are immediately obvious. When emergency room staff or primary care providers fail to act quickly or dismiss symptoms altogether, patients lose precious time that could have saved their lives or limited the damage.
So what if you received a late diagnosis? The outcome can vary depending on the severity of the delay and the care provided afterward. Some patients may suffer permanent heart muscle damage, require invasive surgery, or experience complications that shorten their life expectancy. Others may not survive the delay at all.
Common reasons for a delayed heart attack diagnosis include:
- Atypical symptoms. Not all patients experience chest pain. Women, older adults, and diabetics may have symptoms like fatigue, nausea, or jaw pain that are easier to overlook.
- Misread test results. Doctors may incorrectly interpret EKGs or miss critical findings on bloodwork.
- Failure to order tests. If a provider doesn’t suspect a heart attack, they may not order the proper diagnostic tests in time.
- Overcrowded ERs or rushed evaluations. Time pressure and understaffing can lead to missed warning signs.
Any delay in diagnosing and treating a heart attack can have long-term consequences. In some cases, it could have been avoided with more attentive care.
Common Consequences of a Delayed Heart Attack Diagnosis
The heart is a muscle that needs oxygen-rich blood to function. During a heart attack, that supply is interrupted. The longer the blockage goes untreated, the more heart tissue is damaged or destroyed.
That’s why timing is everything. A delayed diagnosis can lead to:
- Permanent heart damage that limits physical activity and quality of life;
- Heart failure, requiring lifelong medication and monitoring;
- Increased risk of stroke or future cardiac events;
- Need for surgery, such as bypass or pacemaker implantation;
- Loss of independence or ability to work; and
- Wrongful death, especially in cases where signs were evident but ignored.
These outcomes affect more than just the patient. They can create ripple effects across an entire family, leading to emotional distress, lost income, and mounting medical bills.
Steps to Take After a Delayed Heart Attack Diagnosis
If a delayed diagnosis has harmed you or your loved one, it’s essential to act quickly. Here are the steps to take after a delayed heart attack diagnosis:
- Prioritize medical care. Ensure the patient receives proper follow-up care, cardiac rehab, and any necessary medications or surgical treatments.
- Request medical records. Ask for copies of emergency room charts, test results (like EKGs or records of troponin levels), and notes from all providers involved. These documents will be essential if you choose to pursue legal action.
- Document everything. Write down your version of events as soon as possible. Include the timeline of symptoms, who you spoke with, and what tests or treatments were (or weren’t) given.
- Contact a medical malpractice lawyer. Don’t wait to get help. A qualified firm like Poulos & Coates can begin reviewing your case right away to determine whether negligence played a role.
You don’t have to have all the answers when you reach out. Part of a lawyer’s job is helping you understand whether your experience meets the legal definition of malpractice.
Can I Sue for a Delayed Heart Attack Diagnosis?
You may be wondering whether you can sue if your doctor didn’t catch it in time. The answer depends on the details of your situation.
To file a successful medical malpractice claim in New Mexico, you must prove:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed (meaning they had a duty to treat you);
- The doctor failed to meet the accepted standard of care,
- That failure directly caused harm; and
- The harm led to damages, whether physical, emotional, or financial.
Examples of negligence in these cases might include:
- Ignoring classic symptoms of a heart attack;
- Failing to order an EKG or cardiac enzyme test;
- Misreading test results;
- Delaying transfer to a cardiologist or appropriate facility; and
- Misdiagnosing the heart attack as acid reflux, anxiety, or another condition.
These cases can be complex, which is why working with an experienced firm is essential. At Poulos & Coates, our team includes a medical doctor and a nurse who can thoroughly review your medical records and identify potential red flags. These in-house medical professionals help us to evaluate cases quickly and accurately.
Why Choose a New Mexico Law Firm That Focuses on Malpractice
Medical malpractice is all we do at Poulos & Coates. Unlike other firms that handle a mix of car accidents or general injury cases, our focus is 100% on helping victims of medical negligence, such as delayed heart attack diagnoses.
That means we know how hospitals and healthcare providers operate. We understand the common mistakes that lead to delayed diagnoses, and we know what it takes to prove them in court. Our approach is different because:
- We have a medical doctor and a nurse in-house to review records and guide case strategy;
- We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which means we’re always ready to fight for the best outcome; and
- We understand New Mexico law and local hospital systems, giving our clients a strong advantage when navigating their claims.
Whether you’re in Las Cruces or anywhere in the state, we’re here to serve families affected by serious medical errors.
Contact Our New Mexico Medical Malpractice Lawyers
A delayed heart attack diagnosis can change the course of a person’s life in an instant. If you suspect that medical providers failed to act quickly or overlooked clear signs of a heart attack, it’s important to get answers and possibly justice.
At Poulos & Coates, we’re here to help you understand your legal options. Our team of trial lawyers, supported by in-house medical professionals, is committed to helping New Mexico families hold negligent providers accountable.
If you’re ready to explore whether you have a case, Contact us today at 575-523-4444 for a consultation. We’re here to listen and help you move forward.
Greig Coates, M.D., J.D.
Over the last thirty years, Dr. Coates has successfully represented plaintiffs in every conceivable type of medical malpractice lawsuit–from single-physician cases to complex litigation involving over a dozen doctors and several hospitals. Dr. Coates has taken several thousand physician depositions in his career involving every known physician specialty and sub-specialty, and almost as many depositions involving hospital personnel such as nurses, techs, and administrators. He has tried several dozen cases to successful verdicts.
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