Unlike heart attacks that announce themselves with crushing pain, silent heart attacks sneak in quietly—leaving damage you won’t notice until it’s too late.
How do you spot the signs of a silent heart attack?
Here’s EVERYTHING you need to know
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, depriving it of much needed oxygen.
This happens due to presence of a blood clot in the arteries, or plaque rupture. If heart attacks are not treated promptly, the heart muscle gets damaged—sometimes, permanently.
What is a silent heart attack?
A silent heart attack is a heart attack that shows no obvious symptoms, or symptoms are so mild, they’re overlooked. It damages the heart just like the typical heart attack, but they’re discovered much later, after complications arise.
Why can a heart attack be silent?
You might not notice you’re having a heart attack because:
– Symptoms might mimic other conditions like indigestion, fatigue or muscle pain.
– You have a high tolerance for pain, and might ignore minor discomfort
– You have nerve damage due to diabetes which blunts pain signals, making symptoms less noticeable.
However the most common reason is, people hardly associate symptoms with their heart.
What causes silent heart attacks?
The most common cause of silent heart attacks is coronary artery disease (CAD)
CAD is the narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply oxygen rich blood to the heart.
The process is called atherosclerosis, and is caused by buildup of fat on the walls of the arteries.
Risk factors for a silent heart attack
You’re more likely to have a silent heart attack if you have:
– Type 2 diabetes
– High blood pressure
– High cholesterol
– Family history of heart disease
– A sedentary lifestyle
– Obesity
– Smoking habits
– Are older
How do you identify a silent heart attack?
It’s tricky to identify a silent heart attack, however watch out for these signs:
– Mild discomfort in the chest, arms and back
– Unexplained weakness or fatigue
– Shortness of breath, even at rest
– Feeling unusually lightheaded or dizzy
– Persistent indigestion or nausea
If you feel ‘off’, it’s best to consult a health professional immediately.
Better safe than sorry.
Complications of silent heart attacks
When heart attacks are not treated, they can lead to:
– Heart failure
– Irregular heartbeats
– Cardiac arrest
– Recurrent heart attacks
– Valve damage
– Stroke
– Cardiomyopathy
– Depression or anxiety.
It’s important to protect your heart
Can heart attacks be prevented?
Yes, they can.
You can reduce your risk by:
– Monitoring and managing your blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels
– Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein
– Limit excess salt, sugar and processed foods
– Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly or 75 minutes of high intensity exercises
– Quit smoking entirely
– Reduce alcohol intake
– Go for regular checkups and don’t skip routine tests
– Stay informed and educate your loved ones
Heart attacks are dangerous, but they can be prevented with the right strategies and awareness.
Live a healthy lifestyle, and encourage those around you to do so as well.
By Pharm.Oluoma @zizelle_
