A heart attack does not always produce pain or pressure in the chest. Some people may have a heart attack with no symptoms at all or symptoms that are subtle and are often missed. These are called silent heart attacks, which, when left unnoticed, may lead to delayed medical intervention. Understanding silent heart attack symptoms, risks, and prevention steps may make a life-saving difference.
In this blog post, let us discuss the different signs of a silent heart attack, risk factors, recovery, treatment, and more!
What is a Silent Heart Attack?
A silent heart attack is a heart attack that occurs with no symptoms, mild symptoms, or symptoms that people do not relate to a heart attack.
A person may have a heart attack and not know about it until they receive a diagnosis weeks or months later.
It is due to a lack of blood flow to the heart, often resulting from blocked arteries and occurs without any pain. These individuals may experience symptoms that lack the intensity of a classic heart attack, including extreme chest pain and pressure, stabbing pain in the arm, neck, or jaw, sudden shortness of breath, sweating, and dizziness.
As a person does not know they have had a heart attack, they may not seek immediate medical attention.
How Common are Silent Heart Attacks?
Silent heart attacks are becoming more common than those with recognised symptoms. According to Harvard Health, it accounts for about 45% of heart attacks. About one in 5 heart attacks is silent, according to a report from the American Heart Association. So, hundreds of people experience heart damage without realising it.
What are the Symptoms of a Silent Heart Attack?
Recognising symptoms of a heart attack may be challenging. Some people may not experience any symptoms, while some may experience nonspecific symptoms, including
- Discomfort in the centre of the chest that lasts several minutes or goes away and comes back.
- Excessive prolonged fatigue
- Sore muscles in the chest or upper back
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Indigestion
- Pain in the jaw, arms, or upper back
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
These symptoms of a silent heart attack may go quickly, making them easy to ignore.
How to Know If You’ve Had a Silent Heart Attack?
A silent heart attack may occur without any obvious symptoms, making it difficult to recognise. You may have experienced unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, mild chest discomfort, indigestion, muscle strain, sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or an irregular heartbeat.
If you have had symptoms, especially if you are at risk for heart disease, it is important to get a medical check-up. Tests, including an ECG, echocardiogram, or blood work, may help in identifying past heart damage and confirm if a silent heart attack occurred.
Why Do Silent Heart Attacks Occur?
The causes of a silent heart attack are similar to those of symptomatic heart attacks. Atherosclerosis occurs when the buildup of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries restricts blood flow to the heart muscles. When the plaque ruptures, blood clots may form and block the blood flow.
Also, a temporary tightening of the artery walls, also known as a coronary artery spasm, may reduce or stop blood supply to the heart. It may damage the heart muscle and cause a heart attack, whether or not symptoms are present.
Who is at Risk for a Silent Heart Attack?
The different risk factors that may put one at a higher risk of developing a heart attack are
- Age
- Being overweight
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol
- Consuming foods rich in cholesterol, salt, and unhealthy fats
- Having Stress
- Having preeclampsia during pregnancy
- Having COVID-19 or an infection
What are the Four Silent Signs of a Heart Attack?
The four silent signs of a heart attack are
- Light chest discomfort: Unlike the sharp, intense pain typically associated with heart attacks, this discomfort may be mild and easily mistaken for indigestion or muscle strain.
- Shortness of breath: Even light physical activity may cause noticeable shortness of breath that may occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Fatigue and weakness: Individuals may be excessively tired or have unusual fatigue and weakness.
- Discomfort in other areas: It may also manifest as discomfort in other areas of the body, including arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Why are Silent Heart Attacks Dangerous?
The danger of a silent heart attack is due to its unknown symptoms. If left untreated, it may lead to
- An increased risk of future, more severe heart attacks
- Irreversible heart damage
- Heart failure
- Arrhythmias
- Stroke
How are Silent Heart Attacks Diagnosed?
As a person may not likely notice symptoms of a silent heart attack, they may probably receive a diagnosis after the heart attack has occurred. A review of different symptoms, a healthy history, and a physical examination may help the team to decide if more tests are required.
The different tests that may help a doctor diagnose a silent heart attack include:
- Electrocardiogram
- Echocardiogram
- Stress test
- Computed tomography to assess coronary arteries
- Coronary angiography
These tests may help the doctor evaluate when a silent heart attack has occurred and determine the extent of the damage.
How Can You Prevent a Silent Heart Attack?
The different lifestyle changes that may help to improve the person’s outlook include
- Regularly monitoring the blood pressure and cholesterol
- Manage diabetes and a healthy weight
- Noticing and monitoring the unusual symptomsÂ
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding smoking
- Manage stress, as it may negatively impact heart health
Incorporating these lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of a silent heart attack and also enhance the overall quality of life.
What Treatments are Available After a Silent Heart Attack?
The different options available after having a silent heart attack that focus on preventing further heart damage and reducing the risk of future attacks are
- Medications: The immediate medical therapies include beta-blockers, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, statins, and cholesterol medications
- Procedures: Your healthcare provider may offer procedures, including angioplasty, to open a blood vessel that is narrowed or clogged. You may use a stent inside a blood vessel to keep it open.
- Lifestyle modifications: Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.
When to See a Doctor?
If an individual suspects of have symptoms of a heart attack, including chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea and lightheadedness, it is preferable to seek immediate medical attention. You may need regular check-ups with your healthcare provider after a silent heart attack.
Conclusion
A silent heart attack is a serious threat as it does not show any symptoms or has subtle symptoms, and so, the diagnosis and treatment are usually delayed. Adherence to a heart-healthy lifestyle may significantly reduce the risk of having a silent heart attack and enhance the overall cardiovascular well-being.
It is recommended to make regular doctor appointments to make sure the blood pressure and other markers of heart health are checked. If you are looking for a heart specialist in Chennai for the diagnosis and treatment of a heart attack, you may contact Dr Nikhil of Heart360 Care for a personalised evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many people may survive a silent heart attack and only discover it later through medical tests. However, it may still cause permanent damage to the heart muscle, and without treatment, it may increase the risk of future heart attacks, heart failure, and irregular heart rhythms.Â
Heart attack symptoms in women may differ from men. Women may experience neck, jaw, and upper back pain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, lightheadedness, indigestion, and cold sweats. Men may experience chest pain, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and pain in other parts of the body.
The different lifestyle changes that may help in reducing the risk of a silent heart attack are maintaining a healthy lifestyle, performing regular physical exercise, adhering to a balanced diet, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, quitting smoking, and managing diabetes.
A silent heart attack does not present obvious signs, making it harder to detect without tests. While individuals with regular heart attacks may present with intense chest pain, pressure, and shortness of breath. Both are serious and cause damage to the heart muscle due to reduced blood flow.
