Cardiology is a vast and complex practice area which carries a high element of risk.

Cardiology refers to the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the heart.

Examples of Cardiac problems can include:

• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Ischaemic heart disease
• Angina and heart attacks

Many symptoms displayed from cardiac conditions can be associated with those of other conditions, which can lead to mistakes being made if adequate care is not taken in diagnosing such conditions.

“Medical mistakes in diagnosing and treating heart problems can lead to damage affecting the brain, other serious injury and death.”

Some explanations include:

• Insufficient examination and monitoring
• Carrying out a procedure that the doctor is not competent to carry out
• Heart attacks being misdiagnosed as gastritis/indigestion
• Medication errors
• Failure to correctly treat heart failure causing injuries
• Delay in treatment of high blood pressure causing injuries
• Failure to manage arrhythmia appropriately, including a cardiac arrest
• Rota/transfer issues