How Common Are Silent Heart Attacks and Are They Fatal?

Silent heart attacks? Yes. You read it right! A usual heart attack can be felt and seen. However, a silent one shows mild symptoms or does not have any at all. Often, people don’t think it is a heart attack as they don’t feel anything. However, silent heart attacks, also known as silent myocardial infarctions, are more common than most people think. And they are as serious and threatening as their conventional counterparts. Let’s delve into a few essential aspects of silent heart attacks and understand the factors that make them as critical.

What are Silent Heart Attacks?

As mentioned earlier, silent cardiac attacks do not show any symptoms or exhibit mild ones. They occur when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked or reduced. However, the symptoms are less prominent or usually go unnoticed.

These attacks are caused by the same factors as symptomatic ones. Some of them include high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol. Nevertheless, people suffering from diabetes and hypertension are more susceptible to silent heart attacks.

Silent Heart Attack Symptoms – How to Know if You Had One?

The problem with these attacks is that you don’t even realize you suffered from one. Often, people realize it weeks or months later. However, some commonly found symptoms of a silent heart attack you must look for include the following.

• Fatigue
• Aching jaw, upper back, or arms
• A sore muscle in the upper back or chest
• Indigestion
• Flu

No one should ignore the above symptoms and get them medically diagnosed and addressed promptly. Timely and appropriate medical intervention will help you determine the exact problem and cause and chart a treatment plan to avoid further occurrences and reduce the potential of a regular heart attack.

How Common are Silent Heart Attacks in India?

In India, nearly 45 percent of all heart attacks are silent. These are more common in older adults, particularly those above 60. Additionally, as stated earlier, people suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes are more vulnerable to suffering such attacks. Furthermore, smokers, obese and those with a family history of heart disease are also at a higher risk of suffering from such attacks.

Are Silent Cardiac Attacks Life-Threatening?

The problem with silent attacks is that they go unnoticed and untreated for a long time. Usually, people don’t realize they had such an attack until they suffer from a severe heart problem. Hence, it might prove fatal at some point as it causes as much heart damage as an obvious attack. Some common damages a silent cardiac attack can cause include but aren’t limited to the following.

• Injury to the heart and scarring
• Since symptoms go unnoticed, no emergency care is involved
• Increased chances of another heart attack, potentially fatal!

How to Prevent Silent Heart Attacks?

One of the most effective ways to prevent a silent cardiac attack is to keep the heart healthy. However, how will you do that? Here are some prevent measures to follow.

• Making lifestyle modifications
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Performing regular physical exercise
• Adhering to a balanced diet
• Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Quitting smoking
• Managing diabetes
• Avoiding stress
• Sleeping regularly for 7-8 hours during the night

So, don’t ignore your body’s indications. Attend to its needs and act promptly to avoid further damage and any heart attack. If you have more questions about silent heart attacks or cardiovascular health, consult Ranka Hospital and get them treated appropriately. Call us at +91 – 20 – 24261530 to schedule an appointment