A woman who has heart disease is 50 percent more likely to receive an incorrect diagnosis even after having a heart attack. This isn’t the only disparity between sexes when it comes to misdiagnoses. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why women in Kentucky and throughout the country have a hard time being diagnosed properly.
One reason is that women may exhibit different symptoms than a man when experiencing the same health issues. For example, a woman who may be having a heart attack could have symptoms such as fatigue or shortness of breath. Meanwhile, men who are having a heart attack are more apt to have chest pain. Historically, there has been a lack of research into woman’s health and the causes of different ailments.
Medical professionals also have a tendency of believing that a woman’s health issue that isn’t easy to diagnose is a gynecological problem. This may overlook the true cause, such as being allergic to certain types of foods. In some cases, race plays an issue when it comes to the quality of care a person receives. Women of color may be more likely to experience complications at childbirth or have their health issues misdiagnosed compared to white females.
Those who experience a worsened medical condition because of a medical professional’s error may have grounds to pursue a malpractice case. It may be possible to use doctor statements, an individual’s statements to a doctor and other medical data to show that a mistake was made. If a claim is successful, the victim could obtain compensation for medical bills and other damages related to the error.