How Cardiomyopathy Can Be Missed by Doctors

Music fans in Tennessee may remember the sudden death of singer George Michael in 2016. The 1980s rock star was found dead in his bed in the early morning hours. An autopsy revealed that the unexpected death was caused by dilated cardiomyopathy. The condition causes symptoms that can easily be missed by doctors.

Why Cardiomyopathy May Go Unnoticed

Cardiomyopathy consists of a group of different diseases that cause the heart to not efficiently pump the blood through the body. An estimated one out of every 500 people have the condition. Cardiomyopathy can be inherited or acquired as a result of another disease, lifestyle choices or through a virus. The condition can develop over time. This means that many of the symptoms could be attributed to another cause or go unnoticed until symptoms are severe.

Being an Advocate for Your Health

Doctors often feel overwhelmed with the number of patients they see each day, and this may lead to them brushing symptoms aside or putting off important tests. Experts recommend that being an advocate for your health is the best way to prevent this. If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain or heart palpitations, see a medical professional immediately and insist that they take your symptoms seriously. An x-ray, EKG and/or ECG may need to be done to correctly diagnose the condition.

What to Do if A Loved One Dies from Cardiomyopathy

If your loved one passed away unexpectedly as a result of cardiomyopathy, you may feel overwhelmed with medical bills, funeral costs and other expenses. If a doctor failed to to diagnose the disease, it might constitute medical negligence. A lawyer may be able to help get you the financial assistance necessary by filing a medical malpractice suit against the practitioner.