Pulmonary Embolism Misdiagnosis: When Shortness of Breath is Dismissed as Anxiety

Pulmonary Embolism Misdiagnosis: When Shortness of Breath Is Dismissed as Anxiety

Shortness of breath and chest pain – many people (and even doctors) might chalk these up to anxiety or heartburn. But sometimes, these symptoms signal something far more dangerous: a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot that travels to the lungs and blocks an artery. It often starts as a clot in the leg (a deep vein thrombosis) that breaks off and lodges in the lung. Without quick treatment (such as blood-thinning medication to dissolve the clot), a PE can cut off vital blood flow and be fatal. In fact, untreated pulmonary embolism has a high death rate – prompt diagnosis and care are literally life-saving.

Illustration of a pulmonary embolism: a blood clot (dark area) lodged in an artery of the lung. A PE is among the top five most commonly misdiagnosed serious conditions in modern health care. Why? Its warning signs can mimic less serious problems. Doctors may mistake a PE for something mundane and send the patient home. Studies by Johns Hopkins researchers in 2023 highlighted the urgent need to improve PE diagnosis: they estimated that cutting diagnostic errors for conditions like pulmonary embolism in half could prevent as many as 150,000 deaths or disabilities every year. Clearly, missing a PE is a dangerous mistake.

Mistaken for Anxiety, Heartburn, or a Muscle Strain

Pulmonary embolism symptoms – shortness of breath, chest pain, a rapid heart rate, cough, or faintness – can be deceptive. Sometimes, doctors misdiagnose PE as a minor issue. Often, a PE is mistaken for:

• Anxiety or panic attacks (causing similar hyperventilation and chest discomfort)
• Pneumonia or bronchitis (due to cough, fever, and breathing trouble)
• A pulled muscle or acid reflux (if the chest pain is misinterpreted as musculoskeletal or heartburn)

Too often, patients with textbook PE red flags – severe shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, and known risk factors – are told it’s “just stress” or a panic attack. This error can be deadly.

When Doctors Miss a PE: Malpractice Investigations

In a malpractice investigation of a missed pulmonary embolism, experts look for where the care fell short. Did the doctor fail to order proper tests? When a patient has possible PE symptoms, the standard of care is to rule out a clot using tools like a D-dimer blood test (which detects signs of abnormal clotting) or a CT angiography scan of the lungs to look for clots. Not ordering these tests can be a grievous error. Investigators also ask whether obvious risk factors were ignored. For example, a patient’s history of recent surgery, use of contraceptive pills, or smoking should raise suspicions of a clot. If a doctor knew of such risk factors but failed to consider a PE, it may be negligent. As one medical review put it, chest pain and shortness of breath plus risk factors like surgery or birth control use are warning signs – doctors should spot those signals and act quickly to prevent harm.

When a pulmonary embolism is misdiagnosed or discovered too late, the consequences can be devastating. Patients who survive often face extended hospital stays, long-term medication, or permanent lung damage. Others do not survive at all, leading to a wrongful death that devastates families. In Illinois, victims of PE misdiagnosis (or their families) have the legal right to seek compensation for the resulting losses. This can include reimbursement for medical bills, recovery of lost wages from time off work, and damages for pain, suffering, or wrongful death of a loved one. A successful malpractice claim can hold the healthcare providers accountable and provide financial relief for the harm caused.

Get Legal Help Today

Being sent home with “acid reflux” or “anxiety” when you actually have a life-threatening blood clot is an injustice no patient should endure. If you or a family member in Illinois suffered because doctors dismissed serious PE symptoms, you don’t have to fight alone. The Law Office of Jeffrey Friedman, P.C. is here to help you demand answers and fair compensation. Our experienced Chicago medical malpractice team can investigate the misdiagnosis, consult top experts, and pursue a claim. Don’t wait – a delay in taking action could affect your legal rights. Contact The Law Office of Jeffrey Friedman, P.C.

Call: 312-357-1431 for a free consultation and let us help you seek justice for a pulmonary embolism misdiagnosis. Your health and peace of mind are worth fighting for.