Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Heart disease is reportedly the number one killer of American adults. An estimated 80 million people across the United States currently suffer from the disease. A number of the nation’s leading cardiologists reportedly believe that many heart disease patients are given too many prescription medications. In addition, some evidence allegedly demonstrates that many heart drugs are ineffective.
According to Dr. Micah Eimer, a cardiologist in suburban Chicago, individuals who suffer a heart attack generally leave the hospital with at least five different prescription medications designed to lower blood pressure, thin the blood, and reduce cholesterol. He said because each drug has been proven to extend a patient’s lifespan, it is “practically malpractice if you don’t prescribe those.” Dr. Eimer added that physicians currently have little information regarding when it is beneficial for heart disease patients to stop taking such medicines. As a result, such prescriptions are purportedly rarely halted and others are simply added to a patient’s list of medications.
Dr. Harlan Krumholz, Professor of Cardiology and Public Health at Yale University, said heart patients tend to accrue medications over time despite the risk for side effects, drug interactions, and other potential issues. When Dr. Krumholz analyzed data from the federal Medicare program, he reportedly found that the average heart disease patient takes 12 medications. In addition, he said some take as many as 30 drugs. He purportedly believes physicians are too eager to prescribe heart medications and too reluctant to stop their use. According to New York University Professor of Medicine and spokesperson for the American Heart Association Dr. Richard Stein, most heart disease patients need between seven and nine medications each day. He said additional medications are likely unnecessary.
Doctors in Chicago and across the nation should not be reluctant to take patients off of ineffective or potentially harmful prescription medications. Sadly, overmedication or other prescription drug errors may cause lifelong injury or death. All patients are placed at risk of being hurt or killed by the intentional or careless acts of medical professionals. Medical negligence may result when a physician, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, or other health care provider fails to provide a patient with the prevailing standard of medical care and the patient is injured as a result of that failure. If you were harmed or a loved one was killed by a doctor or other medical professional’s negligent act or omission, you should contact a quality medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your rights.
If you were hurt as a result of medical negligence, please call Abels & Annes, P.C. toll free at (855) 529-2442. Our hardworking Chicago medical malpractice attorneys are available to answer your questions and help you file your personal injury case. At Abels & Annes, P.C., our capable lawyers are on hand to assist you 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Our knowledgeable attorneys are available to help injured clients receive the compensation they deserve following a preventable injury. To speak with a dedicated personal injury lawyer today, contact Abels & Annes, P.C. through the law firm’s website.
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Additional Resources:
Too many drug types are compromising heart health: doctors, by Debra Sherman, Reuters