Home Australia Sheila went to hospital after coming down with nausea and pain in her abdomen… hours later she was dead

Sheila went to hospital after coming down with nausea and pain in her abdomen… hours later she was dead

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The 68-year-old woman died of a heart attack that was misdiagnosed as an adverse reaction to codeine (file image pictured)

A 68-year-old woman who died of a heart attack after being misdiagnosed by doctors has highlighted the need for healthcare professionals and patients to know the signs before it is too late.

Sheila Marion Quairney attended St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne on the evening of 2 April 2023 with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and upper abdominal pain.

He died hours later of a heart attack that was misdiagnosed as an adverse reaction to codeine.

Victorian coroner Audrey Jamieson found St Vincent’s did not take into account or identify that Mrs Quairney was having a heart attack during her admission.

The 68-year-old woman went to the hospital’s emergency department a day after falling and hitting her ribs while using an exercise bike.

He had taken painkillers, including codeine, but the pain increased and nausea and vomiting began.

Ms. Quairney’s vital signs and breathing were normal when she first arrived at the hospital, and two doctors determined that her symptoms were likely caused by an adverse reaction to codeine.

But his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest while an intravenous cannula was being inserted.

The 68-year-old woman died of a heart attack that was misdiagnosed as an adverse reaction to codeine (file image pictured)

Doctors performed CPR but were unable to revive her and Ms Quairney died at around 4.45am on April 3, 2023.

An autopsy confirmed that he had died of a heart attack and that his nausea and vomiting were early signs of heart failure.

Jamieson discovered St Vincent’s had not received Quairney’s diagnosis but praised the hospital for its response in the years after his death.

“I believe you have adequately identified the factors that led to the misdiagnosis,” the results read.

The coroner recommended that St Vincent’s and the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine consider adopting Ms Quairney’s story as a case study to highlight the importance of comprehensive assessments and identification of atypical heart attack symptoms in women.

A spokesperson for St Vincent’s told AAP the hospital was reviewing the report and would formally respond to the court on the recommendation.

“St Vincent’s takes the forensic investigation process very seriously and has thoughtfully and openly engaged with the coroner,” the statement read.

“Our goal is to improve the quality of care, always.”

Sheila Marion Quairney, 68, presented to St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne on the evening of 2 April 2023 with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and upper abdominal pain.

Sheila Marion Quairney, 68, presented to St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne on the evening of 2 April 2023 with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and upper abdominal pain.

For reasons still unknown, women often have different heart attack symptoms than men, said Jason Kovacic, director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

Most heart attack patients experience crushing chest pain, but women also suffer from symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, and even jaw pain.

“Those different symptoms, and sometimes they can be confusing symptoms, is one of several reasons why these heart attacks in women can sometimes go unnoticed,” he told AAP.

Women can also be quick to ignore their own symptoms and signs can be missed by busy healthcare professionals, Professor Kovacic said.

“Doctors are getting better at recognizing these unusual presentations of heart attack,” he said.

“But it can be very difficult in a busy emergency room, with many patients to care for and unusual symptoms.”

Natalie Raffoul, director of the Heart Foundation, said women should be aware of these different signs and call triple zero if they experience any of them.

Early prevention was also key because the risk of a heart attack increases after decades of inaction, Raffoul said.

She urged women to go to their GP and undergo a 20-minute heart health check.

SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK IN WOMEN:

* Pain or tightness in the back, neck or jaw.

* Burning sensation in the chest, similar to heartburn.

* Chest discomfort

* Dizziness and lightheadedness

* Vomiting and nausea

* Fatigue

* Difficulty breathing

* Sweating

HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS IN MEN

* Chest pain or discomfort

* Difficulty breathing

* Nausea

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