Is A Silent Heart Attack Dangerous?

We have often heard of a typical heart attack situation where the situation is pretty obvious. But sometimes, there is a silent heart attack as well. It is not likely that you will notice some obvious symptoms before a heart attack. You won’t feel pain in the chest, a problem in breathing, or cold sweating. A person can suffer a heart attack without even knowing about it. This unusual kind of heart attack is known as a silent heart attack. Doctors usually refer it to silent ischemia, which is the lack of oxygen supply to the muscles of the heart.

Causes

Most people consider a heart attack a dramatic event. It occurs mostly when the atherosclerotic plaque ruptures in any of the coronary arteries. The rupture produces clots of blood in the blocked artery. This blood clot leads to an acute artery blockage. The respective heart muscles of the blocked artery become ischemic. It starves to get an oxygen supply. This starvation can cause chest pain and other severe symptoms. The late removal of blockage causes heart muscles to get croaked. Therefore, it increases the chances of a heart attack.

According to some recent research, women are at a higher risk of facing a silent heart attack than men. The factors of a silent heart attack are similar to the causes of a heart attack. Some of the most common factors are:

• Chewing tobacco and chain-smoking
• Family history of heart attacks
• Age factor
• Diabetes and lack of physical exercise
• High cholesterol and high blood pressure
• Obesity (overweight)

Symptoms of a Silent Heart Attack

A silent heart attack is quite dangerous, and it can cause several damages. A heart requires blood with a high percentage of oxygen for functioning. If plaque that contains fatty substances and cholesterol blocks the arteries, the blood flow gets blocked and cut off.

The longer the period of time the blood flow to a person’s heart stops, the more chances of risks occur. Since silent heart attacks are mostly unnoticed, they can be a source of greater damages. And if you won’t get treatment, these heart attacks can be fatal.

But there are some silent signs that can indicate a risk of a heart attack. A few of them are:

• Chest Pain, Discomfort, Pressure, and Fullness

Some of the time, the heart attack’s pain is quite sudden and extremely intense. The pain can make it easy to recognize. But, what will you do if it is difficult to recognize the pain?

Many heart attacks can only cause mild pain and uneasiness in the center of the person’s chest. You might feel squeezing effect, pressure, and fullness. These symptoms start at a slower speed. They might vanish and come back again.

You should take these symptoms seriously and don’t let them go untreated, because they can be risky. A lot of people consider it as heartburn. If you are feeling something different, then you must consult a physician at first.

• Discomfort in Several Body Parts

A silent heart attack will not only affect the heart. You will feel some effects throughout your entire body. Some of the body parts in which you can experience discomfort and pain are:

• Back – both the upper back and lower back
• Jaw
• Arms – one or both of the arms
• Stomach
• Neck

The level of discomfort varies from individual to individual. Some people have who experienced silent heart attacks say that the level of back pain due to a heart attack is similar to a rope tied around their body. Moreover, you can feel pressure at your back. Please don’t ignore these symptoms at all.

• Dizziness and Problems in Breathing

If you have just walked for a few miles, it feels like you have been running for several hours. Then this situation might be a symptom that your heart cannot pump enough blood to other body parts. Difficulty in breathing, along with chest pain, is a common indication of a silent heart attack.

Furthermore, you can even feel giddy and lightheaded. Later on, you can faint as well. Although it can happen to both genders, it is more likely for women to face problems in breathing.

• Cold Sweating and Nausea

People mostly feel that cold sweating, nausea, and vomiting are signs of flu. However, this is not the truth. There is a high probability that these symptoms are due to a silent heart attack. You should take these symptoms on a serious note and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

• Feeling Tired and Stomach Pain

You will feel tired most of the time. Little physical workouts and walking will also increase your exhaustion. This stress and exhaustion can lead you to stomach pain.

Are There Any Tests Available For Detecting a Silent Heart Attack?

There are no such tests that can determine the potential that you can get a silent heart attack. But if a person is facing any of the risk factors, then he should consult his doctor. This consultation can reduce the probability of facing a silent heart attack.

However, there is one way through which you can detect whether you have faced a heart attack or not. Imaging tests can help you in this matter. Some of these tests include electrocardiograms and echocardiograms. These tests will help you in recognizing the changes that indicate that you have gone through a silent heart attack or not.

Is It Possible To Prevent a Silent Heart Attack?

Yes, you can prevent heart attacks. There are several ways through which you can prevent them. We are highlighting some of them. Let’s have a look at some preventions.

• Exercising daily
• Avoid being a passive smoker and quit smoking as well
• Eat foods that have fewer calories and maintain your diet
• Take less stress
• Keep track of your blood pressure and sugar levels

Conclusion

Summing it up, a silent heart attack is dangerous. It can even lead you to death. Silent heart attacks increase the risk of another heart attack. You should take the symptoms seriously and visit the doctors for further advice. You can seek advice from South Florida cardiovascular specialists. They are highly specialized in their field. These doctors will provide you with the best prevention and medications. Thus, don’t take a silent heart attack light.