Due to wrong eating habits and changes in lifestyle, our chances of getting many types of diseases increases. Due to increase in cholesterol in the body, the risk of heart attack increases. Apart from this, many factors like irregular heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, diabetes, blood pressure etc. can become a major cause of Silent Heart Attack.
But sometimes people may have a heart attack if there is no problem or symptom in the heart. This is called silent heart attack. There could be many reasons behind this.
Table of Contents
What is a Silent Heart Attack ?
Silent heart attack, also known as silent myocardial infarction, that has become a serious problem today. The serious thing is that, it does not cause problems like chest pain or restlessness. Many times a person dies in his sleep. Although silent heart attack does not come suddenly, many signs are visible before its arrival. There is a need to remain alert and aware and recognize these symptoms. Let us know 10 such symptoms by which you can detect a silent attack.
What are the causes of silent heart attack?
Basically, heart attack is a heart disease. It is caused by a restriction in the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Due to this, the heart is deprived of the necessary blood flow and the organ is not able to function properly. The main cause of silent heart attack is a blockage of the arteries that carry oxygenated blood to the heart.
This blockage can be caused by a plaque build-up caused by fat or by a blood clot, which forms when a small piece of plaque gets into the bloodstream. An uncommon cause of a silent heart attack can be a spasm in the coronary artery, which supplies blood to the heart.
This can disrupt blood flow and lead to a heart attack. Experts say that, silent heart attack occurs more in women than in a men, which can be due to the following reasons: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, Family history of heart attack obesity age being older
Silent heart attack symptoms
10 Symptoms of silent Heart –
1. Being extremely tired – If you are feeling extremely tired even after taking ample rest, it could be a sign of a silent heart attack. If you feel tired suddenly and without any reason for several days or weeks, you should contact a doctor.
2. Sudden restlessness –Generally, there is severe chest pain during a heart attack. But this does not happen in silent heart attack. In this, intermittent tightness or mild pain is felt in the chest. Many times people mistake it for muscle pain, but making such a mistake can prove costly.
3. Trouble breathing – If you are short of breath even without activity or exertion. If you have to breathe with force, then pay attention to this sign. Shortness of breath is a sign that your heart health is unhealthy.
4. Vomiting or stomach upset – Some of the main symptoms of silent heart attack are feeling like vomiting, nausea, stomach pain or upset stomach. If you are continuously eating nutritious home-made food and still these symptoms are visible, then it can be serious.
5. Sweating in cold – If you suddenly start sweating even without any exertion, especially in cold weather, then it can be a sign of a silent heart attack. Pay special attention to whether you are sweating along with other symptoms.
6. Tingling in jaw, neck, hands – Sometimes, if you feel tingling, slight pain and discomfort in many parts of the body including jaw, neck, hands, back or stomach, then you need to pay attention to it. Sometimes you may experience intermittent pain in these body parts.
7. Sudden dizziness – If you are feeling dizzy or faint even without any physical exertion or weakness, then you need to get your heart checked. If you are repeatedly feeling that you are unable to control yourself due to dizziness, then contact your doctor.
8. The problem of insomnia is dangerous – You should always keep an eye on changes in sleep patterns. If you are a victim of insomnia, you are waking up suddenly many times during the night, you feel restless throughout the night, then these could be due to silent attacks.
9. Are you worrying unnecessarily? – It is said that, worry is like a funeral pyre. If you are surrounded by worry, sadness or negative thoughts without any reason, then a silent heart attack can attack you. If you are feeling restless with excessive anxiety, then definitely get yourself checked once.
10. Pay attention to body pain without exertion – Silent heart attack causes general weakness or pain in the upper body including arms, shoulders or back. Having such pain without any physical exertion can be dangerous.
Risk Factors for Silent Heart Attack
Silent heart attacks involve the same risk factors as typical heart attacks. They are as follows –
- Age factor
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- hereditary heart disease
- High blood pressure
- No physical activity
- History of heart attack
- Tobacco use
- Stress factors
- Gender – more common in women
Reason for silent heart attack
- Eating too much oily, fatty and processed food
- Lack of physical activity
- Excessive drinking of alcohol and cigarettes
- Due to diabetes and obesity
- Due to stress and tension
How to protect yourself from silent heart attack
- Eat as much salad and vegetables as possible
- Do exercise, yoga and walking daily.
- Avoid cigarettes and alcohol.
- Be happy and in a good mood.
- Try to avoid stress and tension.
- Get checkups done regularly.
- Eat nutritious food
- Keep stress levels low
- Keep blood pressure under control
- Maintain blood sugar level in case of diabetes
- Get regular health checkups
- Sleep well
- Maintain a healthy weight
Silent Heart Attack Diagnosis –
The clinical trials conducted are –
- Computed Tomography
- Physical examination
- Electrocardiogram or ECG
- Blood test
- Coronary angiography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- CT scan
- Exercise stress test
- Nuclear stress test
- Echocardiogram
Diagnosis
Once symptoms are recognized, the best way to prevent any further damage or possible death is to go to a doctor or hospital for immediate treatment. The symptoms of a silent heart attack may be similar to other things, however, it is important to get checked by a health care professional to understand the underlying issues.
Doctors may use tests such as echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, stress test, tomography, or angiography to find out if a person Suffering from heart attack or not.
Is a silent heart attack harmful ?
Having a silent heart attack increases the risk of a second heart attack, which can be fatal. The risk of heart failure increases due to repeat heart attack. Currently, there are no tests to detect the possibility of a silent heart attack.
Life Expectancy After a Silent Heart Attack
Life expectancy after a silent heart attack can vary depending on a number of factors, including the extent of heart damage, overall health and effectiveness of treatment, and lifestyle changes. Although it is difficult to predict a person’s exact life expectancy after a silent heart attack, studies have provided some insights:
- Life expectancy, after a heart attack is reduced in both men and women, and the reduction is similar for both genders.
- African-Americans have experienced the most severe declines in life expectancy compared to Caucasians.
- Overall, life expectancy can be reduced by about 8-10% of life expectancy. For example, if a person without heart disease is expected to live to age 85, the presence of a heart attack can reduce life expectancy by 10% or 8.5 years.
Last Word
In Conclusion we tell you, Silent Heart attack is very dangerous for every age man and women. So, never ignore it’s symptoms. If You face this symptoms in your body, Please contact a Doctor for further assistance.
