Stroke Caused by Failure to Diagnose Atrial Fibrillation
A patient attending their medical professional with symptoms of atrial fibrillation needs a prompt diagnosis to avert the danger of suffering a stroke.
Someone may not realise that they have atrial fibrillation. Their symptoms may be slight and they may not be aware of them or the need to have them investigated by a medical professional.
However, a patient who attends their GP or A&E unit with symptoms and signs of atrial fibrillation and yet remains undiagnosed, may face a high risk of a stroke. Untreated atrial fibrillation is thought to increase a person's chance of suffering a stroke by up to five times.
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation refers to the irregular beating of the heart. It can cause the sufferer to experience a stroke as it increases the chance of blood clots forming and thereby reducing the flow of blood to the brain.
Someone suffering with atrial fibrillation may be offered medication to try to amend the irregularity of their heartbeat such as beta-blockers or they may be put on anti-coagulants to try to reduce the chance of suffering a stroke.
What are the symptoms and signs?
A patient who is experiencing atrial fibrillation is likely to be exhibiting the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Awareness of heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Faintness
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice.
Who is at risk of atrial fibrillation?
A number of factors can increase the chance of someone developing atrial fibrillation. These can include the following:
- Old age
- High alcohol intake
- High blood pressure
- Someone with pre-existing heart disease
An awareness of these factors can assist in the diagnosis process and should be taken into account by medical practitioners assessing the patient's symptoms.
How is it diagnosed?
An initial examination should involve investigating the patient's symptoms as well as taking their pulse to check for an irregular heartbeat.
Further tests are likely to include an ECG (electrocardiogram). In fact the NICE guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation state the following:
'Perform an ECG in all people, whether symptomatic or not, in whom atrial fibrillation is suspected because an irregular pulse has been detected.'
It may also be necessary to have an echocardiogram as well as blood tests.
The impact of a stroke
As well as the emotional impact of suffering a stroke, the physical effects can be severe such as the following:
- Difficulties with speech
- Partial paralysis, often associated with one side of the body
- Memory difficulties
The impact of such symptoms on a person's ability to function independently let alone travel, socialise and work can be both devastating and long-term.
Any early symptoms which might indicate a person's susceptibility to a stroke clearly need to be addressed with some urgency.
Medical negligence
If you or a loved one are suffering with the significant effects of a stroke due to a failure to diagnose atrial fibrillation, you may wish to seek advice regarding a compensation claim.
Contact Glynns Solicitors today to discuss your experience with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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