Atherosclerosis is a dangerous health condition that clogs your arteries, increases your risk of suffering clots, and can lead to potentially fatal consequences. Unfortunately, a medication prescribed for the treatment of some forms of leukemia is causing rapid and irreversible atherosclerosis. Patients who develop this condition may want to seek the advice of a Tasigna side effects lawfirm to see if they are entitled to seek compensation for damages.

Atherosclerosis Can Lead to Potentially Fatal Health Consequences

Atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries causes your arteries to become stiff with a build-up of plaque. This plaque is comprised of cholesterol, cellular waste, calcium, and the protein fibrin which helps promote clotting. It builds in the arteries and causes them to narrow, reducing the amount of blood that can feed your body the nutrients and oxygen it needs. Pieces of plaque can also break away, travel through the bloodstream, and block blood flow to critical organs.

Coronary Artery Disease

Atherosclerosis can cause plaque to build in the coronary arteries. These arteries feed the heart, and when blood flow through these arteries is reduced or blocked, you may experience:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Pressure, or pain in the shoulder, jaw, arm or neck
• Shortness of breath

Peripheral Artery Disease

When atherosclerosis reduces or blocks blood flow to the arms, fingers, legs, and feet, you may experience symptoms including:

• Color of an arm or leg that is different than the other
• Erectile dysfunction
• Gangrene
• Having an arm or leg that is hotter or cooler than the other
• Muscle cramps in the legs
• Tissue death
• Wounds on the extremities that do not heal

Carotid Artery Disease

When atherosclerosis restricts the amount of blood that can travel to the brain, there are few symptoms you may experience. Typically, carotid artery disease is found during a doctor visit when your physician listens to your carotid artery with a stethoscope and hears a whooshing sound. Carotid artery disease may also be diagnosed if you suffer a stroke.

Patients Are Seeking Justice

Patients who were diagnosed with the rapidly progressing atherosclerosis and the families of those who died from complications of atherosclerosis after being treated with the leukemia drug Tasigna are questioning why they were never warned of the increased risks of Tasigna atherosclerosis. These patients are filing lawsuits against Tasigna maker Novartis alleging that the company knew or should have known about the increased risk of developing a rapidly progressing and irreversible form of atherosclerosis but failed to warn the medical community and patients of those risks, and patients want to know why.

Drug makers have a duty to ensure their products are safe and effective and to warn doctors and patients of any side effects, adverse events, precautions, and complications. When they fail this duty, they may be held accountable for the injuries their products cause.

If you were treated with the leukemia drug Tasigna and developed atherosclerosis or had a heart attack, stroke, or suffered tissue death, gangrene or amputation, contact us now. We have a long history of fighting for the rights of patients, and we will fight for you. Contact us today to learn more about Tasigna atherosclerosis and whether you are eligible for significant compensation for your injuries.