NHS Nurse Dies After Misdiagnosis: Thoracic Aortic Dissection Mistaken for Indigestion

Nov 18, 2025 08:23 pm CST

A 47-year-old NHS nurse, Paula Ivers, died three days after doctors misdiagnosed her thoracic aortic dissection as indigestion. Despite severe chest pain described as "worse than childbirth" and a family history of cardiac issues, she was discharged with advice to take Gaviscon. This case highlights concerning issues in the assessment of chest pain symptoms, particularly in women, whose heart attack symptoms are often misinterpreted in emergency departments.