Archive · 18 Nov 2025
UK Nurse Dies After Misdiagnosed Heart Attack
A UK nurse, Paula Ivers, sadly passed away after doctors at Tameside Hospital mistakenly thought her severe chest pain was just indigestion.
She had gone to the hospital because she was in a lot of pain, but tests didn't show anything wrong.
Unfortunately, her chest pain was actually a sign of a serious heart problem that wasn't treated.
This has made people worry about how chest pain is handled in emergency rooms, especially for women whose heart attack symptoms can be misunderstood.
Paula Ivers, 47, died 3 days after being discharged from Tameside Hospital
Doctors misdiagnosed her heart attack as indigestion
She had complained of 'crushing' chest pain, but tests showed nothing abnormal
Her condition was significantly underestimated, leading to her death
The incident has raised concerns about handling chest pain symptoms in emergency departments
- Who
- Paula Ivers, a 47-year-old NHS nurse from Tameside, Greater Manchester
- What
- died after being misdiagnosed with indigestion instead of a heart attack
- When
- in March 2024
- Where
- Tameside Hospital, Greater Manchester
- Why
- Doctors misinterpreted her chest pain symptoms
Hospital's Perspective
Family's Perspective
Misdiagnosis
Hospital's Perspective
Doctors acted based on test results and initial observations
Family's Perspective
Hospital failed in its duty of care and diagnosis
Rarity of Condition
Hospital's Perspective
Aortic dissection is a rare condition
Family's Perspective
Paula's symptoms were severe and warranted further investigation
- Cause of Death
- Thoracic aortic dissection
- Symptoms
- Severe, 'crushing' chest pain
- Family History
- History of cardiac issues
- Hospital Department
- Same Day Emergency Care unit
- Diagnosis by Doctors
- Indigestion or 'trapped wind'