It is common knowledge that serious motor vehicle accidents can cause broken bones, ligament tears, sprains, and strains. Many people don’t realize, however, that a serious car accident can cause injuries to your cardiovascular system. A car, truck or motorcycle accident is a very stressful incident.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Car accidents can cause serious cardiovascular injuries and complications, including Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, chest contusions, and stroke.
- Cardiovascular effects may not be immediate and can develop or worsen over time, requiring ongoing medical attention.
- Insurance companies often contest claims of accident-related heart issues, making thorough medical documentation crucial.
- Working with an experienced attorney is vital to ensuring you receive appropriate compensation for the long-term effects of your injuries.
Car Accidents and Heart Problems
Car accidents can cause heart attacks and irregular heartbeat. The stress and trauma a driver or passenger experiences in a car or truck accident cannot be overstated. Two known cardiac ailments following high-stress accidents are:
- Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome)
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
A Takotsubo cardiomyopathy incident can happen after a car accident. This stress-induced heart incident can cause chest pains and shortness of breath even in people with normal healthy hearts with no history of heart disease. The symptoms mimic the more common heart attack caused by blockage and often require hospitalization.
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Another cardiovascular or heart issue following a serious accident is an episode of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat which can typically be managed through medication or electrical shock to put your heart back into rhythm.
Some people can manage their AFib for years with medication without experiencing an irregular heartbeat.
Stress-Induced AFib Episodes
There are occasions where the stress and trauma from a motor vehicle accident or fall can throw your heartbeat out of rhythm causing or aggravating atrial fibrillation. If the episode is bad enough, and doctors cannot get your heartbeat normal again with medication, electric shock treatments and hospitalization may be necessary to avoid more serious complications that can result, such as stroke, blood clots, and heart failure.
Physical Trauma and Heart Injuries
In addition to stress-related heart conditions, direct physical trauma to the chest during an accident can lead to cardiac issues. A chest contusion, caused by a forceful impact, can result in:
- Pain and tenderness in the chest area
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Bruising of the chest wall
These symptoms may not appear immediately and could develop hours after the accident.
Complications from Accident-Related Injuries
The body’s response to trauma can sometimes lead to the formation of blood clots. These clots pose significant risks to cardiovascular health:
- They can travel to the heart, potentially causing a heart attack
- If a clot reaches the lungs, it may result in a pulmonary embolism
- Clots that reach the brain can trigger a stroke
Long-Term Cardiovascular Effects
It’s important to note that the cardiovascular impact of a car accident may not always be immediate. Some effects can develop or worsen over time, emphasizing the need for ongoing medical attention and monitoring following a serious accident. The full extent of cardiac damage may not be apparent for weeks or months, making it essential to seek experienced legal representation. This approach protects your rights and helps secure funds for both immediate and long-term cardiac care, covering ongoing medical expenses and potential lifestyle changes due to heart conditions resulting from your accident.
How Insurance Companies Deny Car Accidents Cause Heart Attacks and Irregular Heartbeat
In my experience, car insurance companies like to argue these cardiovascular injuries are not related to the accident, but merely coincidental. Insurance companies will make this argument even when the episode happens very soon after a serious accident. Insurance companies typically strongly contest these claims. This resistance from the insurance companies often requires a more thorough evidence presentation from a plaintiff’s lawyer, including securing written opinions from your doctors relating your condition to the accident. The insurance company may even require you to meet with one of their hired doctors before making a settlement offer.
Heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions after car wrecks may occur more often than many people realize.
One study from Boston University School of Medicine, found that adults aged 65 and older who were occupants in a car crash were more likely to suffer heart failure or stroke within 30-180 days of the crash compared to pedestrians who were hit by a car”
It’s important to hire an attorney who is familiar with heart attacks and AFib in the wake of a car, truck or motorcycle accident. The car accident attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have been helping those injured in car wrecks for decades. Please call us at (757) 333-3333.
