Can A Heart Attack Be Silent?

Heart attacks are pretty scary, but what about silent ones? They tend to be even scarier because, in a normal heart attack, you figure out that you need to rush to the hospital or call 911. However, for silent heart attacks, there are no obvious symptoms. Silent heart attacks are often confused with other diseases, generally fatigue, and tiredness, and obviously not paying heed eventually worsens the situation of the patient. After all, it’s a heart attack and is a life-threatening situation. Read along to find out all about silent heart attacks.

What Is a Silent Heart Attack?

A silent heart attack is also referred to as silent myocardial infarction or SMI. It is just like a normal heart attack but differs in the sense that the patient cannot recognize his symptoms. Hence, it doesn’t resemble the obvious symptoms of a classic heart attack and is generally confused with routine discomfort or less-severe issues. Overlooking the symptoms makes it hard to actually recognize an SMI until you visit the doctor and have an ECG conducted. SMIs are more common in men as compared to women and are more likely to affect older people above 75 years. They are the reason behind 45% of heart attacks by raising the risk of a second and more severe heart attack.

What Causes Silent Heart Attacks?

The causes and factors resemble those of a common heart attack or MI. The heart tissues require oxygen to function, just like other body organs. Fat or cholesterol deposits that build up in the coronary arteries lead to atherosclerosis and narrow the arteries to the extent that blood supply to the heart tissue is reduced. As the atherosclerotic plaque increases in size, it occludes the coronary artery, and blood flow to the heart tissue is blocked. This is called sudden ischemia due to a lack of oxygenation to that particular heart tissue. Generally, the ischemic heart muscle dies because of insufficient nutrition by coronary arteries, and this is what gives rise to a heart attack.

Common factors that aggravate plaque formation and consequently give rise to silent heart attacks are smoking, sedentary lifestyle leading to obesity, hypertension, fatty foods that can cause hypercholesteremia, diabetes, emotional stress, old age, or genetic history of heart attacks that run in the family. These factors can disturb the normal functioning of the heart by blocking blood supply in the coronary arteries, which eventually leads to a deoxygenated heart. Ischemia in a particular heart tissue increases the risk of complications by reducing the heart’s efficiency to pump blood. Worsening SMIs might even lead to heart blocks or heart failure.

How to Recognize a Silent Heart Attack?

With silent ischemia of heart, the usual symptoms of a heart attack are not noticeable. Severe chest discomfort radiating to the left shoulder, back, or jaw accompanied by shortness of breath and feeling of collapsing are symptoms that are common for heart attack, and might not be experienced in SMI.

So what should you be on the lookout for in SMI? The symptoms might not be apparent, which is why a lot of people often overlook it as tiredness, fatigue from work, nausea, heartburn, muscle pain, or a mild cold. The recognition of angina also fails in patients who feel that shortness of breath, fatigue, or muscle weakness is not something to be bothered about.

SMIs are hard to recognize, but not impossible. You should not be neglectful if you face any kind of chest discomfort, which is a primary sign of heart ischemia. A slight pressure, squeezing, or feeling of tightness should not be brushed off as heartburn. A feeling of faintness, dizziness, and difficulty to stand that goes and comes back again is also something that could relate to a silent heart attack. Moreover, other areas of your body can also feel affected like the left shoulder, left jaw, arms, neck, etc. While nausea, vomiting, fainting, or cold shivers are indications of a fever, they can also be an indication of poor oxygenation of your heart muscle. All such symptoms should not be ignored; rather, you should see your physician at the earliest in case you’re having doubts about SMI.

However, it might happen that the symptoms are never felt or never appear altogether, which is the prime reason for dangerous and chronic effects on the heart.

Precautions and Preventions for SMIs

Even though it’s a ‘silent’ heart attack, but playing it safe is always a good option. Make sure to visit your doctor immediately if you’re concerned regarding your heart health. An ECG, cardiac MRI, or CT scan will clearly indicate if any area of the heart lacks oxygen supply. Timely-Caught ischemia can be treated to prevent the onset of any future heart attacks and improve survival chances. Never hesitate to call 911 or refer to your physician regarding any medical issues.

Prevention is always better than treatment. If you’re above 60 or 70 years, it is advisable to be extra cautious regarding heart attacks. Start eating healthy and do regular exercise for an improved lifestyle. Moreover, quit smoking because the carcinogens and chemicals in cigarettes are especially harmful to the heart and lungs. Emotional trauma and stress in patients with high blood pressure should also be avoided because this can seriously affect your health. Visit your doctor regularly for medical check-ups to clear all doubts. Remember, your health should always be your top priority.

Our Values and Features

Here, at the South Florida CardioVascular Specialist, we aim to provide our patients with optimum care and the best treatments with sympathy and empathy. Our panel consists of highly-qualified doctors and surgeons who are reliable and dedicated as a team. Based on research and skill, our medical techniques adhere to the standards of professionalism and compassion for humanity. We guarantee to provide excellent results and complete medical care to the patient and their family members as well. Your heart is in safe hands with South Florida Cardiovascular Specialist!