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Heart Attacks & Strokes |
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 Heart
attack and Stroke are both cardiovascular diseases, which
are the nation's leading killers for both men and women and among
all racial and ethnic groups. More than 60 million Americans have
some form of cardiovascular disease and more than 2,600 people die
each day as a result. This amounts to the death of one American
every 33 seconds. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include
high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, tobacco use, physical
inactivity, poor nutrition, obesity and diabetes. Physicians can
make errors in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease
that deprives patients of the opportunity for prevention and/or
cure. A heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI) occurs
when there is insufficient blood flow to the heart that causes
infarction (death) of myocardial muscle cells. Angina also results
from insufficient blood flow to the heart but without actual
infarction of tissue. The development of angina or an increase in
anginal symptoms often precedes and foreshadows an actual heart
attack. Careful history taking and physical examination combined
with diagnostic tests of varying complexity can allow physicians to
diagnose cardiac disease and to begin treatment that can lessen or
avert heart attacks. Such tests include the electrocardiogram (EKG),
stress testing, cardiac imaging studies and angiography.A stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) occurs when there is either insufficient blood flow to the brain (an occlusive or ischemic strokes) or hemorrhage in the brain (a hemorrhagic stroke) that causes the death of brain cells. A Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA) results from insufficient blood flow to the brain that causes transient neurological deficits but does not cause without actual infarction of tissue. The development of temporary neurological symptoms may precede and foreshadow an ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic strokes are often associated with high blood pressure, and diagnosis and treatment of the high blood pressure can help prevent them. Careful history taking and physical examination combined with diagnostic tests of varying complexity can allow physicians to diagnose cardiac disease and to begin treatment that can lessen or avert strokes. Such tests include the CT Scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positive emission tomography scan (PET Scan), and angiography. Diagnosis and treatment of risk factors for cardiovascular disease helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. Immediate treatment within hours of a heart attack or stroke is necessary to minimize the damage. While not all heart attacks and strokes are preventable or treatable, many are. If you feel that you or someone you know has been the victim of such errors, search our national database for a medical malpractice attorney serving your area by clicking on the gold map to the left. For more information on cardiovascular disease, click on any of the links below. Related Links: DISCLAIMER The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. The information contained on this site cannot substitute for direct communication with legal or medical professionals. Nothing contained on this site shall be considered legal advice or the practice of law. Visiting this site or linking to any participating law firm shall not be considered to create an attorney-client relationship. | |||
Telephone 201.444.1644 - 877.963.3625
175 Rock Road, Glen Rock, NJ 07452 Email Britcher,Leone & Roth © 2006 by: Britcher Leone & Roth, LLC | ||||
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