Silent heart attacks are silent myocardial infarctions that don't cause the usual symptoms, such as discomfort or chest pain. Around 50% to 80% of all heart attacks are silent.
Even though these conditions are frequently hard to diagnose, there are still warning signs to be mindful of. Indigestion and nausea are sometimes experienced in the absence of the classic heart attack symptoms, such as shortness of breath or chest pain. People may be unaware that they are having a silent heart attack. They may believe they have a pulled muscle in their chest, the flu, or heartburn. However, just like any other heart attack, a silent heart attack can result in heart muscle damage and a blockage of blood supply to the heart, resulting in heart muscle damage.
According to a 2018 study, those who experience silent heart attacks have the same long-term survival rates as those who experience typical heart attacks. On the other hand, those who have experienced a silent heart attack might be more vulnerable to subsequent problems like heart failure and stroke. The heart can suffer permanent damage if blood flow is cut off for the heart for more than twenty minutes . However, the duration of such an attack varies from person to person. A person must seek medical help right away when they experience any bothersome symptoms.
A silent heart attack raises the possibility of another, potentially fatal heart attack. Complications like heart failure are also more likely to occur when you have another heart attack. There is no test that can determine one's risk of silent heart attack. A doctor can identify risk factors and manage those that can be addressed. This could lessen the likelihood of experiencing a silent heart attack. Finding out if someone has experienced a silent heart attack requires imaging tests. An echocardiography or electrocardiogram are two of these tests.
Consult a medical professional if you believe you have experienced a silent heart attack. Your health care doctor can decide whether you require additional testing based on an assessment of your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination. Here are some indicators of a silent heart attack, along with information on how to spot them and what to do if you observe them.
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What is Silent Heart Attack?
A silent heart attack is one that happens either with no symptoms at all or with symptoms that are not noticed. It is possible for someone to have a heart attack without realizing it until weeks or months after they are diagnosed.A silent heart attack, also called a silent myocardial infarction (MI), happens when there is heart muscle damage but lacks the usual discomfort and chest pain of a conventional heart attack. A silent heart attack can have subtle symptoms that you may easily miss to notice, in contrast to the dramatic symptoms of a classic heart attack. In order to ensure timely medical attention and avoid potential complications, it is imperative to identify the risk factors and warning signs.
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What are Silent Heart Attack Symptoms?
Individuals experiencing a silent heart attack may exhibit mild symptoms, no symptoms at all, or symptoms that typically do not indicate a heart attack. They might not be aware that they've experienced a heart attack.Symptoms of a silent heart attack can include feeling like:
- You're sick with the flu
- A muscle in your upper back or chest aches
- You feel pain in your upper back, arms, or jaw.
- You're exhausted.
- You experience dyspepsia (indigestion)
Silent Heart Attack Causes
In your coronary arteries, cholesterol-containing plaque builds up. Your heart muscle cannot receive oxygen-rich blood when a blood clot forms on the plaque. This may subsequently cause a silent heart attack.Risk Factors of Silent Heart Attack
The factors that may increase the risk of a heart attack include:- Obesity or high BMI
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Unhealthy dietary choices
- High blood sugar levels
- Stress
- Excessive tobacco usage
- Familial history of heart disease
- Having preeclampsia during pregnancy.
- Advancing age
- Postmenopausal phase of life
- COVID-19 infection
How to Prevent Silent Heart Attack?
Maintaining heart health may help you to avoid silent heart attacks. To accomplish this, you can:- Eating a balanced diet
- Going for routine examinations
- Avoid taking tobacco products or smoking
- Getting a heart disease screening
- Regulating cholesterol levels
- Maintaining normal blood pressure
What is Silent Heart Attack Treatment?
When a patient exhibits symptoms of a heart attack, the team of emergency doctors will start medical treatment right away. Depending upon your condition your cardiac surgeon will determine whether an emergency stent should be placed or not. Following are certain immediate interventions:- Administration of aspirin for preventing blood clot formation
- Administration of anticoagulants like heparin
- Administration of nitroglycerin for improving blood flow and reducing the functional stress on the heart
- Administration of beta-blockers
- Administration of oxygen therapy
- Aspirin intake
- Statins intake
- Administration of beta-blockers
- Intake of blood pressure-lowering medications including ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers
Conclusion
It's possible that even weeks or months after having a silent heart attack, you won't realize that you ever had one. It's best to understand what your body will bear and seek medical attention when something doesn't feel right. It can be easier to spot a silent heart attack if you are aware of its subtle symptoms. Make sure you visit your doctor regularly for routine examinations. Treating health issues that may result in a heart attack is another way that you can help yourself to keep such silent attacks away. A better diet and more physical activity can be helpful.Choose Asian Heart Institute for right and timely heart treatment. Book your consultation now!
FAQs
Q1: Which four symptoms indicate a potential heart attack?A: Signs and symptoms of heart attacks in both men and women are discomfort or pain in the chest; breathlessness; discomfort or pain in the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw; experiencing nausea, dizziness, or excessive fatigue.
Q2: Is a 22-year-old susceptible to a heart attack?
A: Heart disease can strike anyone at any age, despite the fact that it is usually linked to older adults. In their 20s and 30s, a large number of the population have health issues (such as obesity and high blood pressure) that increase their risk of heart diseases.
Q3: Is it possible to cope with a silent heart attack?
A: Silent heart attacks can be quite damaging because they might go unnoticed. Additionally, they can be fatal if left untreated.
Q4: What happens during a heart attack's initial stages?
A: Abrupt cardiac arrest may occur as the initial indication of a heart attack. Some heart attacks happen unexpectedly. However, a lot of people experience symptoms and alert signs hours, days, or weeks beforehand. Angina (repeated chest pressure) that is not relieved by rest may be a precursor to more serious health problems.
Q5: If my ECG appears normal, is my heart healthy?
A: You could still have a heart condition even though your ECG is completely normal. Your doctor might advise getting another ECG or another kind of test to be clear if you have any heart condition.
Q6: What is the duration of silent heart attacks?
A: When silent heart attacks do occur, the symptoms could last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. They may appear and disappear, or they may begin slowly and progressively get worse. In the event that you have persistent pain and shortness of breath, you should avail emergency medical care.
