What Is A Silent Heart Attack? Know The Danger And Signs

In the United States, there are over 3 million heart attack cases each year. Fortunately lifestyle changes have made people healthier nowadays. But that number is still too high. What is not included in this number is ‘silent’ heart attacks. This means we can imagine a worse number of cases each year. Silent heart attacks often produce no obvious symptoms and are sometimes ignored. It is important to know the signs of a silent heart attack and to never disregard the symptoms.

The Danger Of A Silent Heart Attack

Over 85 percent of damage done to a heart is within 2 hours of having a heart attack. This damage can lead to future, more severe heart attack(s). Medical attention soon after symptoms of heart attack can help this damage. So, if some heart attacks can be silent, or don’t produce noticeable symptoms, how do we know one is occurring?

Risk Factors and Signs

Yes, certain factors make risk much higher in people. These include being overweight and not active, smoking, heavy drinking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and hereditary factors. People with such risk should make smart changes to decrease that risk and also have regularly scheduled tests.

But even without high risk, a heart attack may occur. This makes it very important to know other signs, besides chest pain and shortness of breath. Other symptoms could be unexplained, extreme fatigue, sudden weakness, unusual indigestion, a muscle-type soreness in chest, upper back, arms, or jaw. Even a feeling of anxiety could be a sign that a heart attack is happening.

What To Do

The most important thing to do is to not ignore what may be symptoms of a heart attack. No symptoms are insignificant when future heart damage is at risk.

Keep informed by having yearly checks of your cholesterol and blood pressure.

If you have any unexplained symptoms that cause concern, don’t hesitate a visit to a healthcare professional or facility. The provider will evaluate your physical exam and symptoms, either advising treatment or further need of medical attention.