Medical Malpractice in Cardiology

One of the leading causes of death in Israel and worldwide is related to medical events concerning the cardiac field – cardiology. Developments in the medical world have created possibilities for early detection of processes that may, with high probability, indicate the development of one cardiac event or another.

As is known, there is a necessity to identify at an early stage the occurrence of a cardiac event such as myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, or heart attack, in order to prevent the severe damage expected to result from the cardiac event if it is not identified in time. The chance of survival or even preventing any damage in someone who is treated within a relatively short time from diagnosis of the cardiac problem is significantly higher than someone who is not diagnosed promptly.

Often, late diagnosis of a cardiac event will cause extremely severe damage, and therefore the importance of diagnosis is critical. Since usually the initial examination for diagnosing the existence of a cardiac event is a simple test whose cost is very low, failure to perform this test may be considered medical malpractice.

The initial and simplest examination is an ECG test, which can also be performed at a health fund clinic by a nurse, with results received on the spot. Another basic test performed at the hospital is a blood enzyme test (CTG).

From the above, it will be understood that the doctor who should identify the developing process is not necessarily a cardiologist but also a doctor in the field of family medicine or an emergency room doctor or paramedic, who should perform the initial examination himself or should refer the patient for more comprehensive tests at a hospital.

Therefore, in cases where the examined person complains of chest pain, shortness of breath during exertion, pain in the left limb area, and especially when dealing with a person who has natural or acquired risk factors (including, among others, family cardiac history, obesity, smoking, age, gender, high cholesterol, and more), the doctor must suspect the existence of a cardiac event and refer the patient to a hospital.

In the event that the doctor does not act in this manner, this may be considered medical malpractice.

Our law office specializes in lawsuits for medical malpractice, and has accumulated over decades of activity extensive knowledge and experience in handling lawsuits concerning medical malpractice in the field of cardiology, and works with top-tier medical experts. Among the office's successes in this field are several leading precedents in the area, which expanded the cause of action for medical malpractice and enabled many plaintiffs to obtain substantial compensation. Therefore, we recommend contacting our office immediately for legal consultation and examination of the feasibility of filing a lawsuit on grounds of medical malpractice.