What Is a Scarred Heart?

Making A Personal Injury Claim

While claims for heart attack are well known, there may be questions around ‘what is a scarred heart?’ when it comes to a personal injury claim. Claims for compensation may be made if the injury or disease was due to someone else’s negligence.

This may be caused by various factors, such as medical negligence, or perhaps as a result of an accident, or workplace exposure which has caused heart damage. This may be as a result of an injury, disease or even prolonged stress. A scarred heart is when healthy heart tissue is replaced with non-functional scar tissue.

This tissue may have an impact the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently, which can lead to cardiovascular complications. A scarred heart may cause pain, particularly if the scarring is due to a previous heart attack or underlying heart disease.

If you have developed a scarred heart due to someone else’s negligence, Jefferies Claims may be able to help. We work with lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win No Fee’ basis.

Causes Of A Scarred Heart

You may ask ‘What is a scarred heart?’. It is important to know that a scarred heart can result from several medical conditions and incidents, including:

Heart Attacks (Myocardial Infarction): When the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen due to a blocked artery, parts of the muscle die . This is replaced by scar tissue.

Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle, often caused by infections, can lead to scarring.

Cardiomyopathy: Conditions that weaken the heart muscle, such as hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy, can result in fibrosis.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Chronic high blood pressure can cause the heart to work harder. This may lead to thickening and scarring of the heart muscle.

Radiation Therapy: Cancer treatments involving radiation to the chest can sometimes cause heart damage and scarring.

Surgical Procedures: Some heart surgeries can leave behind scar tissue that may impact cardiac function.

Toxic Exposure: Certain toxins may contribute to heart scarring.

Symptoms of a Scarred Heart

If you have a scarred heart, you may experience any of the following symptoms:

Chest Pain or Discomfort: Particularly if the scarring is due to a previous heart attack.
Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during exertion or while lying down.
Fatigue: A feeling of constant tiredness due to inefficient heart function.
Irregular Heartbeat (Arrhythmia): Scar tissue can disrupt normal electrical signals in the heart, leading to palpitations or irregular rhythms.
Swelling (Edema): Fluid build-up in the legs, ankles, or abdomen due to reduced heart efficiency.
Dizziness or Fainting: Caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain.
Reduced Exercise Tolerance: A decreased ability to engage in physical activity without experiencing symptoms.

Can a Scarred Heart Cause Pain?

Yes, a scarred heart can cause pain. It can manifest as angina, a type of chest discomfort that occurs when the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. However in some cases, scarring can also lead to arrhythmias, which may cause palpitations and discomfort.

Additionally, inflammation associated with the scarring process can contribute to chronic pain. If you experience persistent chest pain or discomfort, it is essential to seek medical attention to find out the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Doctors can diagnose a scarred heart using imaging and different diagnostic tools. This may comprise of an ECG (electrocardiogram), or MRI scans, as well as blood tests which can measure markers indicating heart damage.

While scarring cannot be reversed, there are treatments available which manage symptoms and aim to prevent further damage.

What You Need To Know About Claims

If you have developed a scarred heart due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to a personal injury claim. Negligence occurs when another party’s actions or failure to act reasonably results in harm.

Examples of negligence include:

Medical Negligence: If a healthcare provider failed to diagnose, misdiagnosed, or improperly treated a heart condition leading to scarring, you may have grounds for a claim.
Workplace Exposure: If you were exposed to toxic substances at work without proper protective measures and this led to heart damage, your employer may be held liable.
Accidents Leading to Cardiac Trauma: Severe chest trauma from a car accident, fall, or other incident caused by another party’s negligence could result in heart scarring.

What To Do Next:

If you believe you are entitled to make a claim, it is essential to keep records of symptoms and obtain medical records which detail your heart condition and its causes. Additionally, keep records of all your expenses related to the condition, including lost wages.

Jefferies Claims can guide you through the process and will ensure you receive all the support you need. We work with experienced lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. Call us at 0333 358 3034 or visit Jefferies Claims Contact Page for a free confidential chat about a potential claim.