Question about death certificate?

On my dad's death certificate it says for the cause of death "Myocardial Infarction, Probable" and this was written by his doctor. He didn't have an autopsy done, but the paramedics told us he had a heart attack, so we didn't feel the need for one. But the wording by his doctor makes it seems like he isn't 100% sure if that is what caused the death. Why would he write "probable"?

Thats what doctors do.....CYA!

Since it wasn't confirmed with an autopsy, i think the doctor has to legally say "probable".

Perhaps your dad (sorry for his passing, by the way) had other medical conditions that could have some day been causative to his death, and since his doctor knew of them, determined that the most probable cause was the actual heart attack at the time. Why don't you ask the doctor?

The doctor likely didn't want to totally commit himself in case anything came up later and an autopsy was done that showed some other cause of death. In other words, the doctor was legally covering his butt.

Dear that's just the way it's done . There are different signs that that a pro can determine the cause. And what about his history of his health.The Dr sometimes go by that really most of the time.

that means by the way it appears this is what happened.alot of things they can tell that makes them think this.and he write probable ? beause no autopsy was done.there is alot of things that give them clues.sorry about your loss.