Heart Failure in a Traumatic Accident
The heart is one of the body’s vital organs, and following a traumatic accident, individuals could be diagnosed with heart failure. Heart failure is defined as the body’s inability to pump blood to meet the demands of the body. The body’s organs require oxygen and nutrients which are carried by the blood. This blood comes from the pumping action of the heart. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Close to 6 million people in the United States are actively living with heart failure.
- About 11 percent of all deaths every year have listed heart failure as one of the contributing reasons.
- Nearly 50 percent of those who are diagnosed with heart failure will die within five years of their diagnosis.
- Every year, heart failure costs the healthcare system in this country more than $30 billion.
- These costs come from lost productivity from work, the use of emergency and hospital healthcare services, and the cost of medications that are needed to treat heart failure.
These statistics are alarming and show just how dangerous heart failure can be. While heart failure can develop slowly throughout the years, it can also develop acutely following a severe accident.
Causes of Heart Failure in a Traumatic Accident
An individual involved in a major accident could develop heart failure as a complication. There are several reasons why someone might develop heart failure, and many of these involve a direct blow to the chest. Some of the causes include:
- Myocardia ischemia which is where blood flow to the heart is disrupted either due to a blood clot or a coronary artery dissection.
- Damage to one of the valves in the heart which leads to altered blood flow through the heart’s chambers.
- Inflammation of the heart which impacts its ability to pump blood.
Heart failure is always a serious problem, and if not addressed by a trained medical professional immediately, could result in death.
The Symptoms of Heart Failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart is not able to pump hard enough to meet the demands of the body. Therefore, all of the symptoms of heart failure will stem from this failure. Some of the symptoms include:
- Easy fatigability and the inability to perform the activities of daily living
- Swelling throughout the body, particularly in the legs
- Chronic, recurrent chest pain
- Having to go to the bathroom more frequently
- Difficulty breathing that gets worse when laying down
- The development of a chronic cough
- Shortness of breath
Depending on the severity of heart failure, the symptoms will vary.
Treatment of Heart Failure
The diagnosis of heart failure can be jarring for families and, fortunately, there are several treatment options available. Some of the most commonly used treatment options include:
Diuretics: Diuretics are one of the backbones of heart failure treatment. Diuretics work by increasing the body’s urine production, removing excess fluid. When this excess fluid is removed, the heart does not have to work as hard to pump blood to the rest of the body.
Beta Blockers: Beta blockers are used to decrease the body’s blood pressure. This reduces the amount of force that the heart must pump against. This improves the heart’s ability to distribute blood to prime destinations.
Digoxin: Digoxin can be used to alleviate the symptoms of heart failure. Digoxin increases the force with which the blood pumps; however, this medication can also have some dangerous side effects if used for too long.
Every diagnosis of heart failure is different. Therefore, the treatment plan might include a combination of multiple options listed above.
Watch YouTube Video: Heart Failure Overview. This 3-dimensional animated video provides an overview of the cause and effect of heart failure.
Contacting an Injury Attorney
Following the diagnosis of heart failure, it is normal for families to have questions. Unfortunately, there are often more questions than answers. Under these circumstances, it is essential to meet with a Sacramento personal injury attorney. Some of the benefits that can be provided by a trained injury lawyer include:
- The ability to meet with professionals in the field of accident reconstruction who can help recreate the mechanism of the accident, ensuring that the fault has been assigned appropriately.
- Assistance in pursuing damages related to the accident, any injuries, their complications, and emotional distress.
- Negotiations with financial institutions to ensure that all bills are paid and that all benefits are awarded.
- Shifting a case to trial when necessary.
Families need to know that they are not alone following a serious accident, particularly one with chest pain. A trained personal injury attorney in Sacramento can provide assistance. Call today to learn more. You and your loved ones might be owed a substantial financial compensation.
Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Attorney in Sacramento. Heart failure is a severe medical problem and, following a traumatic accident, it could result in death. If your loved one has had heart problems following an accident, call me today at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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