Can a compensation claim be made against a hospital or doctor for failure to treat a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is a recurring sound that a clinician can hear through a stethoscope. It is an extra sound alongside your regular heartbeat and is often described as a swishing sound. This noise occurs when blood does not flow smoothly through the valves when they open and close.
Although the sound may be innocent, it is important to listen out for heart murmurs because they are usually a sign of cardiac disease or damage. Contrary to popular belief, heart murmurs can be diagnosed in people of all ages, including children.
Many people with heart murmurs do not feel anything physically. However it is important to be aware of the symptoms that a heart murmur can cause. The main ones are:
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating when you are resting
- A cough that is continuous and does not improve
- Swelling in the legs, arms or stomach
A heart murmur can be diagnosed in several ways, the most common being an ECG and Echocardiogram. It is important to diagnose heart murmurs right away as most will require treatment, even if you do not have an underlying heart condition.
Depending on the cause, a heart murmur can often be treated with medication, but sometimes surgery is required to replace or correct the heart valve.
Heart murmurs do not usually go away on their own. Failure to diagnose and subsequently treat a heart murmur can lead to heart failure due to the stress that is put on the heart. It can also lead to sudden cardiac death.
It is important to diagnose and treat heart murmurs due to the potential for them to end a patient’s life prematurely, when earlier intervention can be non-invasive and manageable.
Where a patient’s health is damaged by failure to treat a heart murmur, they may be entitled to pursue a compensation claim.
Our Legal 500 recommended lawyers deal with medical negligence claims nationwide on a No Win, No Fee basis. To find out where you stand just contact our free helpline for a review of your case.