The last days of 2016 saw a string of high-profile deaths. From Carrie Fisher to George Michael to Debbie Reynolds, these recently departed celebrities all had one thing in common; heart problems. Heart disease is the number one cause of death around the world, but the phrase doesn’t refer to a single condition. Rather, heart disease is a catchall term for any number of conditions.

What exactly is heart disease?

CNN reported on the most recent celebrities taken from us by heart problems, “Worldwide, heart disease is the leading cause of death, accounting for more than 17.3 million deaths each year, a number that the American Heart Association expects to grow to more than 23.6 million by 2030. “Heart disease” includes all forms of possible heart troubles, such as heart failure, heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, heart defects at birth, arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart muscle usually caused by genetics), high blood pressure and high cholesterol.”

Unfortunately, many of the factors that contribute to heart disease are asymptomatic. Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerides all greatly increase the risk of a sudden heart or stroke, but none of these conditions typically display any outward symptoms. Other contributing causes may also be asymptomatic or simply mimic other common conditions like colds or fatigue.

Why this information is important

It can be impossible to know from how you feel whether you are at an increased risk of suffering a heart attack, stroke, or any other heart-related condition. The only way to truly assess your risk is routine and comprehensive medical screenings performed by a qualified professional. In other words, your health is truly in your doctor’s hands when it comes to heart health.

Your doctor is responsible for evaluating your risk for developing certain conditions based on your medical history and lifestyle. When healthcare providers fail to connect the dots, real people suffer. If your loved one suffered a heart attack or stroke that you believe was the result of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, continuing care, lost wages and other damages. The experienced Nashville medical malpractice attorneys at the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm can evaluate your case and help get you the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, visit our offices in Nashville, Gallatin or Knoxville, call 615.246.5549 or contact us today for a free consultation.