Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but not all of them are obvious and dramatic. Some heart attacks are silent, meaning that they have no or mild symptoms, or symptoms that are easily overlooked or mistaken for something else. However, silent heart attacks are just as dangerous and damaging as regular heart attacks, and can increase the risk of heart failure, stroke, and death.
In this article, you will learn what are the silent signs of a heart attack, what causes them, and how to prevent them. By being aware of these signs, you can seek medical help as soon as possible, and avoid the long-term complications of a silent heart attack.
What are the silent signs of a heart attack?
According to experts, silent heart attacks account for anywhere between 20% and 50% of all heart attacks[1]. The symptoms of a silent heart attack may vary from person to person, depending on their age, gender, health status, and individual response. Some of the most common silent signs of a heart attack are:
– Shortness of breath: This is one of the most frequent and subtle signs of a silent heart attack. It may occur when you are resting, sleeping, or doing a mild activity, such as walking or climbing stairs. It may feel like you are not getting enough air, or that you have a tightness or pressure in your chest. Shortness of breath may be caused by a reduced blood flow to the heart, which affects its ability to pump oxygen to the rest of the body.
– Weakness or fatigue: This is another common and vague sign of a silent heart attack. It may occur before, during, or after the heart attack, and last for days or weeks. It may feel like you have no energy, or that you are exhausted for no apparent reason. Weakness or fatigue may be caused by a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and organs, which affects their function and performance.
– A general feeling of unease or discomfort: This is a sign that is often ignored or dismissed as a minor ailment. It may occur as a sensation of nausea, indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain, or bloating. It may also occur as a feeling of anxiety, nervousness, or stress. A general feeling of unease or discomfort may be caused by a disturbance in the nervous system, which is affected by the reduced blood flow to the heart and the brain.
– Sweating: This is a sign that may be confused with a hot flash, a fever, or a hormonal imbalance. It may occur as a sudden and excessive sweating, especially on the face, neck, or chest. It may also occur as a cold and clammy skin, or a pale and gray complexion. Sweating may be caused by a stimulation of the sweat glands, which is a response to the stress and pain of the heart attack.
– Nausea or vomiting: This is a sign that may be mistaken for a food poisoning, a stomach bug, or a medication side effect. It may occur as a feeling of nausea, or as an actual vomiting of food or bile. It may also occur as a loss of appetite, or a difficulty in swallowing. Nausea or vomiting may be caused by a stimulation of the vomiting center in the brain, which is a response to the reduced blood flow to the heart and the digestive system.
– Lightheadedness or dizziness: This is a sign that may be attributed to a low blood pressure, a dehydration, or a vertigo. It may occur as a feeling of lightheadedness, or as a sensation of spinning, swaying, or tilting. It may also occur as a loss of balance, or a fainting spell. Lightheadedness or dizziness may be caused by a drop in the blood pressure, which is a result of the reduced blood flow to the heart and the brain.
– Back or jaw pain: This is a sign that may be considered as a muscle strain, a dental problem, or a headache. It may occur as a pain or discomfort in the upper or lower back, or in the jaw, neck, or throat. It may also occur as a numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in these areas. Back or jaw pain may be caused by a referral of the pain from the heart, which is a phenomenon that occurs when the nerves that supply the heart also supply other parts of the body.
– Unexplained fatigue: This is a sign that may be overlooked or explained by a lack of sleep, a busy schedule, or a depression. It may occur as a fatigue that is not relieved by rest, or that interferes with your daily activities. It may also occur as a difficulty in concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. Unexplained fatigue may be caused by a disruption in the sleep cycle, which is affected by the reduced blood flow to the heart and the brain.
What causes a silent heart attack?
A silent heart attack is caused by the same factors that cause a regular heart attack, which is a blockage of the blood flow to the heart. The blockage may be caused by:
– Atherosclerosis: This is a condition in which the arteries that supply the heart become narrowed and hardened by the buildup of plaque, which is a mixture of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances. Atherosclerosis can reduce the blood flow to the heart, or cause a rupture of the plaque, which can trigger a blood clot that blocks the artery.
– Coronary artery spasm: This is a condition in which the arteries that supply the heart contract and relax abnormally, causing a temporary narrowing or closure of the artery. Coronary artery spasm can reduce the blood flow to the heart, or cause a blood clot that blocks the artery.
– Coronary microvascular disease: This is a condition in which the small blood vessels that branch off from the main coronary arteries become damaged and dysfunctional, causing a reduced blood flow to the heart. Coronary microvascular disease can be caused by various factors, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, or hormonal imbalance.
How to prevent a silent heart attack?
A silent heart attack can be prevented by following the same strategies that can prevent a regular heart attack, which are:
– Eating a healthy diet: A healthy diet can help lower the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery spasm, and coronary microvascular disease, by reducing the levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation in the body. A healthy diet should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fish, and limit the intake of saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, salt, and processed foods.
– Exercising regularly: Regular exercise can help improve the blood flow to the heart, and strengthen the heart muscle and the blood vessels. It can also help lower the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery spasm, and coronary microvascular disease, by reducing the levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation in the body. Regular exercise should include at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, per week, as well as some strength training and flexibility training.
– Quitting smoking: Smoking can damage the lining of the arteries, and increase the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery spasm, and coronary microvascular disease, by increasing the levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation in the body. It can also reduce the oxygen delivery to the heart, and increase the heart rate and the blood clotting. Quitting smoking can help improve the blood flow to the heart, and lower the risk of a silent heart attack, as well as other cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
– Managing stress: Stress can affect the heart and the blood vessels, and increase the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery spasm, and coronary microvascular disease, by increasing the levels of cortisol, adrenaline, and inflammation in the body. It can also trigger unhealthy behaviors, such as overeating, drinking, or smoking, which can further harm the heart. Managing stress can help relax the heart and the blood vessels, and lower the risk of a silent heart attack, as well as other mental and physical disorders. Stress management can include various techniques and practices, such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, mindfulness, relaxation, hobbies, social support, counseling, or therapy.
– Controlling medical conditions: Medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, or sleep apnea, can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery spasm, and coronary microvascular disease, by affecting the health and function of the heart and the blood vessels. Controlling these medical conditions can help prevent or delay the progression of these diseases, and lower the risk of a silent heart attack, as well as other complications. Controlling these medical conditions can include taking medications as prescribed, monitoring the levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, losing weight if needed, and treating sleep apnea if present.
Conclusion
A silent heart attack is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur without any or mild symptoms, or symptoms that are easily overlooked or mistaken for something else. However, a silent heart attack can cause damage to the heart, and increase the risk of heart failure, stroke, and death. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the silent signs of a heart attack, and to seek medical help as soon as possible, if you experience any of them. It is also important to prevent a silent heart attack, by following a healthy lifestyle, and by managing any medical conditions that can affect the heart and the blood vessels. By taking care of your heart, you can also take care of your overall health and well-being.
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Learn more:
1. moneycontrol.com 2. msn.com 3. english.newstracklive.com 4. my.clevelandclinic.org 5. health.harvard.edu 6. cedars-sinai.org