What is a silent heart attack?
A “silent” heart attack occurs when there are no symptoms or features that people associate with a heart attack, such as extreme chest pain and pressure. They may have only mild symptoms at times, which are frequently misinterpreted as a minor issue, such as a gastric or stomach problem, and thus people tend to ignore them.
How common is a silent heart attack?
Some estimate that nearly half of all heart attacks are silent.
How does a silent heart attack affect your body?
A silent heart attack can harm your body’s heart just as much as a visible heart attack. It is even more dangerous because if you don’t know you’re having a heart attack, you may not seek or delay seeking medical attention. As a result, a silent heart attack has been linked to an increased risk of heart failure.
What are the symptoms of a silent heart attack?
A traditional heart attack is marked by prolonged chest pain. People who have a silent heart attack, on the other hand, have symptoms that are not normally associated with a heart attack, or they have mild symptoms or none at all. They might not even realise they’ve had a heart attack.
Symptoms of a silent heart attack include: feeling like you have indigestion or “gas,” feeling very tired or fainting, or a sudden feeling of cold sweat or just an ache in your jaw, arms, or upper back.
What are the risk factors for a silent heart attack?
Silent heart attacks have the same risk factors as regular heart disease. Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and eating unhealthy foods such as junk food are the most significant. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and diabetes can all increase the risk of a heart attack. The recent occurrence of Covid infection could also be a contributing factor to silent heart disease. Depression or stress can also lead to heart problems.
How can I reduce my risk of a silent heart attack?
Improve your lifestyle by being physically active and stress-free, avoiding smoking and unhealthy foods, getting regular preventive health checks, and taking proper care of any medical comorbidities , if any