Misdiagnosis of Stroke Persistent Problem Among Young Patients

October 22, 2011

For those suffering a stroke, effective early treatment is critical in order to avoid long term complications or even death. But, stroke is commonly thought of as a condition only affecting older patients. According to a study presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, this misperception often leads to misdiagnosis when stroke victims seek medical attention in an emergency room setting.

Nearly One in Seven Young Stroke Sufferers Misdiagnosed

It is true that the typical stroke victim is at least 55 years old. However, research shows that doctors relying too heavily on the standard profile tend to ignore telltale symptoms in younger patients.

"We have seen several young patients who were presented to emergency rooms with stroke-like symptoms within three to six hours of symptom onset, and these patients did not get proper treatment due to misdiagnosis," Dr. Seemant Chaturvedi, one of the researchers involved in the stroke study, said in a statement to Reuters news service. "The first hours are really critical," he added.

Commons stroke symptoms include trouble with speaking, changes in vision, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, severe headache and the abrupt onset of numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs. A number of patients in the study ages 16 to 50 who arrived in emergency rooms displaying these warning signs were incorrectly diagnosed with conditions ranging from vertigo and migraines to alcohol intoxication and inner ear disorders. Only later was it discovered that these patients were in fact suffering from a stroke. Overall, 14 percent of stroke suffers under the age of 50 are misdiagnosed.

Failure to Diagnose May Be Responsible For Death and Disability

Stroke is the number three cause of death in the United States, and is the leading cause of serious, long term disability. Every year, almost 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke, nearly a quarter of them under the age of 65.

Any delay in treatment due to emergency room errors can be disastrous for a stroke victim. Better patient outcomes can be expected the sooner a stroke is correctly identified and treated.

Physicians must be alert to the signs of a stroke, particularly for young patients whose strokes can be easily overlooked. When negative health consequences are caused by a negligent misdiagnosis, victims or their families may hold doctors accountable. If you or a loved one experienced a delayed stroke diagnosis, explore your legal rights with a medical malpractice attorney.

Article provided by Ronald J. Bua & Associates
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