Heart attack misdiagnosis in women is far more common than many people realize, and the consequences can be devastating. While chest pain is the most well-known symptom of a heart attack, women often experience very different warning signs. Unfortunately, when those symptoms don’t fit the “classic” profile, medical providers may overlook them, misidentify the condition, or send the patient home without proper care. This delay in treatment can lead to permanent damage or even death.
If you or someone you love suffered harm because a heart attack was missed or misdiagnosed, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim. In this post, we explore why these misdiagnoses happen, how women’s symptoms differ, and what legal steps you can take to protect your rights.
Are Heart Attack Symptoms Different for Women?
Yes, heart attack symptoms can be different for women, and that’s a significant reason why their symptoms are often missed or dismissed.
The classic image of a heart attack—sudden, crushing chest pain radiating down the left arm—is based largely on how men experience heart attacks. But many women present differently. Instead of dramatic, localized chest pain, women may experience:
- Shortness of breath;
- Fatigue, even days before the event;
- Lightheadedness or dizziness;
- Pain in the back, jaw, neck, or stomach;
- Nausea or vomiting; and
- Anxiety or a sense of impending doom.
These symptoms may not immediately trigger alarm bells for providers, especially if the woman is relatively young, has no prior cardiac history, or describes her discomfort vaguely. When symptoms don’t fit the “textbook” description, they’re often attributed to less urgent causes like stress, anxiety, acid reflux, or even hormonal changes.
This gender-based difference in symptom presentation plays a significant role in missed or delayed diagnoses. And unfortunately, those delays often come at a high cost.
Why Women Get Misdiagnosed for a Heart Attack
There’s no single reason why women get misdiagnosed for a heart attack. Instead, it’s often a combination of factors, many of which reflect systemic problems in our healthcare system.
1. Gender Bias in Medicine
Numerous studies have shown that women’s symptoms are more likely to be minimized or attributed to emotional causes. Providers may assume a woman’s pain is anxiety-related or psychosomatic, especially if diagnostic tests are initially inconclusive. That can lead to premature dismissal without proper cardiac evaluation.
2. Atypical Presentation
As discussed earlier, many women don’t show the “classic” signs of a heart attack. If providers aren’t trained to recognize these alternative warning signs, they may delay ordering critical tests such as an EKG, bloodwork (troponin levels), or a cardiology consultation.
3. Underrepresentation in Research
For decades, heart disease research focused mainly on men. As a result, the medical community has historically had less awareness of how heart attacks manifest in women. This knowledge gap continues to affect how heart attacks in women are taught, recognized, and treated.
4. Miscommunication or Rushed Exams
Emergency rooms are busy. Patients may not fully describe their symptoms, or staff may misinterpret them. A rushed or distracted exam can lead to missed warning signs, especially in young patients, pregnant patients, or those without known risk factors.
5. Age and Assumptions
Women under 55 are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed in the ER when experiencing a heart attack. Many providers assume that younger women are at low risk, even though heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
All of these factors can combine to create a perfect storm—one in which a woman experiencing a life-threatening cardiac event is sent home or left untreated far too long.
The Cost of a Missed Diagnosis
When a heart attack is caught early, treatment can minimize damage, restore blood flow, and potentially save a life. But when the diagnosis is delayed or missed, the consequences can be devastating.
Some of the most serious outcomes of a misdiagnosed heart attack in women include:
- Permanent heart damage due to prolonged oxygen deprivation;
- Heart failure, requiring lifelong medications and activity restrictions;
- Repeat cardiac events, such as a second heart attack or stroke;
- Emergency surgery or implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator;
- Loss of mobility or independence; and
- Wrongful death, particularly if treatment was delayed beyond the window for intervention.
Beyond the physical harm, families often suffer emotional trauma, financial stress, and a loss of trust in the healthcare system. These are not minor oversights; they can have life-altering implications.
Do I Have a Case for Heart Attack Misdiagnosis?
If you believe that you or a loved one suffered harm because a provider failed to recognize a heart attack in time, you may be wondering whether you have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
In New Mexico, a successful malpractice claim must meet a few specific requirements:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed;
- The provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care;
- That failure directly caused harm; and
- You suffered damages, such as injury, medical costs, lost wages, or the death of a loved one.
In the context of heart attack misdiagnosis in women, that often means showing that:
- The patient reported symptoms consistent with cardiac distress,
- The provider failed to order appropriate tests or misinterpreted the results, and
- The delay in diagnosis led to worse outcomes than would have occurred with timely care.
These cases often require detailed medical review and expert testimony. That’s why it’s so important to work with a law firm that understands both the legal and medical sides of these claims.
Why Work with Poulos & Coates?
At Poulos & Coates, we’re not just any personal injury firm. We focus exclusively on medical malpractice in New Mexico. That includes a deep understanding of how diagnostic errors happen, especially in cases involving heart attacks and delayed treatment.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our team includes an in-house medical doctor and nurse, allowing us to evaluate cases thoroughly and efficiently;
- We prepare every case for trial from day one so that your claim is taken seriously;
- We’re local to Las Cruces and serve clients across the entire state of New Mexico; and
- We work closely with respected medical experts who can support your claim with strong, credible testimony.
When you work with Poulos & Coates, you’re not just hiring attorneys; you’re hiring a team that understands the medicine, the law, and the emotional toll that misdiagnosis takes on families.
Contact Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Women’s heart health deserves to be taken seriously. Misdiagnosed heart attacks aren’t just oversights; they’re often avoidable tragedies. If you or a loved one experienced serious harm because a provider failed to recognize the signs of a heart attack, you have the right to ask questions and explore your legal options.
At Poulos & Coates, we’re here to help you do just that. We’ll listen to your story, review your medical records, and help you understand whether you may have a claim. More importantly, we’ll stand with you every step of the way, because no one should have to suffer in silence after a medical mistake. Contact us today at 575-523-4444 to get the support and guidance you deserve.
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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