When people think of a heart attack, they tend to picture sudden, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, or someone clutching their chest in distress. But not all heart attacks look like this.
In fact, some happen quietly, without the dramatic symptoms we associate with cardiac emergencies. These are known as silent heart attacks and can be just as dangerous to your health.
Our team at Premier Cardiology Consultants delivers top-quality care from three convenient locations in New York. Our goal is to partner with you in living the healthiest life possible by diagnosing, treating, and preventing issues that affect your heart.
Here’s what our team wants you to know about silent heart attacks and why we take them so seriously.
Like any heart attack, a “silent” version occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. However, because the symptoms are milder than expected, temporary, or mistaken for something else, like heartburn, the person is not likely to seek medical help.
Even though they go unnoticed, silent heart attacks cause real damage to the heart muscle. Over time, this damage can increase your risk of heart failure, arrhythmias, and future heart attacks.
The symptoms of a silent heart attack are often subtle and may include:
Because these symptoms can be mistaken for indigestion, a muscle strain, or the flu, many people ignore them. Often, silent heart attacks are discovered later during tests for another condition or on an electrocardiogram (EKG).
Anyone can have a silent heart attack, but women, older adults, and people with diabetes are especially likely to experience silent heart attacks.
Other risk factors include:
People with diabetes are particularly vulnerable because nerve damage (neuropathy) can dull pain sensations, making symptoms easier to miss.
Since the signs are easy to overlook, silent heart attacks are often discovered incidentally. Your cardiologist might find evidence of one through:
If your doctor suspects a silent heart attack, early detection is key to preventing further complications.
If you’ve had a silent heart attack, treatment focuses on protecting your heart and preventing another one. Your cardiologist may recommend:
Prevention is equally important. We recommend scheduling routine heart screenings, especially if you have risk factors. Pay attention to your body — even mild symptoms can be a warning sign.
If you’ve been feeling unusually fatigued, short of breath, or have unexplained discomfort in your chest, don’t ignore it. A cardiologist can perform simple, noninvasive tests to evaluate your heart health and ensure nothing serious is being overlooked.
Schedule a visit today by calling the Premier Cardiology Consultants location of your choice. Our goal is to help you stay informed and heart-healthy.
