Rupture of the Pericardium
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. The heart is one of the body’s most vital organs. It pumps blood to the lungs and the rest of the body, helping supply organs with the oxygen and nutrients they need to do their jobs. The heart is protected by the pericardium. Rupture of the pericardium can lead to significant damage.
As obesity and diabetes continue to rise in this country, heart disease persists as one of the leading killers. As people gain weight, the cholesterol in their bloodstream starts to increase. This leads to the formation of clots and plaques in the blood vessels. Ultimately, this can result in a heart attack. Some critical statistics according to the American College of Cardiology on heart disease include:
- Over half a million people die of heart disease on an annual basis.
- This could account for up to a quarter of the total deaths in the United States annually.
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women.
- Over a million people have a heart attack on an annual basis.
- Heart diseases cost the healthcare system, and the country, over $100 billion yearly.
Clearly, heart disease is a major problem in this country. Unfortunately, there is more than one way for the heart to be damaged. Sometimes, trauma can do some damage as well.
A Medical Study: Rupture of the Pericardium
A team of doctors at a local hospital reviewed some records looking for cases of heart damage due to chest trauma. They found a theme of young adolescents who had sustained ruptures of their pericardium, the protective case of the heart. Over a period of a few years, they found ten different cases of blunt trauma to the heart, leading to pericardial rupture. Some had rib fractures along with their heart injury. Of these ten individuals, five wound up dying of cardiac strangulation. This strangulation occurs when the pressure on the outside of the heart becomes so high that the heart cannot pump adequately. Based on these results, it is vital for chest trauma to be taken seriously. When the pericardium is damaged, it may not move with the beat of the heart. If the pericardium does not move, it becomes a restrictive cage against which the heart has trouble pumping. If necessary, the pericardium can be removed to allow the heart to pump fully again. This could prevent a wrongful death from occurring.
Long-Term Outcomes and Assistance
When someone sustains traumatic damage to the heart, the recovery is dependent on some factors. Some of these factors include:
- Overall Health: If someone already has chronic medical problems, such as immunodeficiencies or diabetes, the recovery process could take longer.
- Age: Someone who is younger is more likely to recover from heart damage quicker than someone who is older.
- Location of the Damage: The heart is a complex structure. Damage to the exterior or edge of the heart is more likely to heal than damage to the interior, the electrical structure of the heart.
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Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Heart damage due to chest trauma can result in serious injuries or death. If you or someone you love has sustained heart damage, please call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. I will provide friendly, free legal advice.
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