Understanding Silent Heart Attacks: Causes, Symptoms, & Diagnosing Methods
You might think all heart attacks come with chest pain and critical symptoms but that’s not always the case. Silent heart attacks are real and surprisingly common. These heart attacks build up without any warning signs. The signs are often mistaken for indigestion, fatigue or even stress. By the time people realize something is wrong, the damage might already be done.
These heart attacks don’t show obvious symptoms, which is exactly why they’re so dangerous. In this blog, we’ll break down the causes, how to spot the subtle clues, and why they’re frequently missed, even by those who’ve had one. Understanding them could save your life.
What is a Silent Heart Attack?
A silent heart attack, also called a silent myocardial infarction, is a heart attack that shows no obvious symptoms. The symptoms are so subtle or strange that individuals do not relate them to the heart. It occurs when there is a blockage of blood supply to a region of the heart, similar to a normal heart attack.
Are Silent Heart Attacks Common?
Yes, silent heart attacks are becoming common nowadays due to the change in lifestyle habits. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 1 in 5 heart attacks are silent. A huge figure, particularly when you take into account how little people know about it.
Silent heart attacks show up more in people with diabetes or high blood pressure. The main reason? Blocked arteries. It’s called coronary artery disease. Over time, plaque builds up inside the vessels that carry blood to your heart. Slowly, the space narrows and clogs up which leads to a heart attack.
What are the Causes of a Silent Heart Attack
The silent heart attack is not different from a normal heart attack. When the blood is unable to reach some portion of the heart, that portion begins to die. Some causes of a silent heart attack are as follows:
- High blood pressure: When your blood pressure is high over a sustained period, it adds extra workload to your heart and wears out the blood vessels. This can cause a silent heart attack.
- High cholesterol: If your cholesterol levels are usually high, this can cause the deposits of plaque to form, which can clog the blood flow, causing a heart attack.
- Diabetic Patients: Diabetic patients are also more prone to heart attacks since high blood sugar levels can destroy the nerve that causes pain. The individual might not experience the pain of a heart attack, and thus it will be hard to notice.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Being overweight puts one at risk of hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure, which will ultimately result in a heart attack.
- Family history of heart disease: Heart disease runs in your family is a reason for increased risk. Some individuals are born with conditions that do not send pain signals as effectively as others.
Common Symptoms of a Silent Heart Attack
Symptoms of a silent heart attack are not apparent; they are mild and are not noticed. Some individuals do not experience any of these symptoms.
Some symptoms of silent heart attack include:
- Light chest pain
- Pain in the jaw
- Symptoms similar to the flu
- Straining in the upper back
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fluttering heartbeats
- Unusual tiredness
- Cold sweat
Why do Silent Heart attack symptoms frequently go unnoticed?
Silent heart attack symptoms are easy to overlook because they are mild & subtle. In other instances, the only way that people know they’ve had silent heart attack symptoms is when they have a check-up or an ECG done.
Some of the most common reasons that people don’t recognize a silent heart attack include:
- Mild or Atypical symptoms
- Damaged nerve or pain tolerance
- No awareness of symptoms
- No regular checkups
- Attributing it to other causes
How Silent Heart Attacks Are Diagnosed
Silent heart attacks are often discovered during a routine checkup or when the patient is having tests for something else. Some methods used by heart specialists to diagnose are as follows:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
This test checks the electrical activity of the heart. It may reveal whether part of the heart was damaged from a previous heart attack, even if the patient never realized it.
- Echocardiogram
It is a heart ultrasound. An echocardiogram can show sections of the heart muscle that aren’t working.
- Blood Tests
Physicians might test for such markers as troponin, which is released when the heart muscle is damaged.
- Stress Test
The stress test assists in assessing how your heart works under physical stress. It will show blockages or diminished function of the heart which indicates previous damage.
How to Avoid a Silent Heart Attack
Most heart attacks, including a silent heart attack, may be avoided if you have healthy habits. Some of the tips to avoid a silent heart attack are as follows:
- Eat heart-friendly food (less salt, more greens)
- Regulate your stress levels
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
- Maintain blood sugar level & cholesterol
- Reduce the consumption of alcohol
- Regular screenings
Final Thoughts
Symptoms of silent heart attacks may not be very clear, but their impact can be life-altering. That’s why listening to your body, even when the signs feel small, matters. Don’t wait for obvious symptoms to take action. A simple check-up could be the step that protects your future.
Paras HMRI is a trusted healthcare provider that has earned its reputation through an advanced treatment process & round-the-clock emergency services. Paras HMRI offers expert heart specialists in Patna who excel in over 30+ specialties and deliver the best care you need. Visit Paras HMRI, Patna, today and get a thorough cardiac check-up from trusted experts.
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