“Silent” heart attacks that don't cause noticeable symptoms put you at the identical future risk as a classic heart attack.
When you think that of a heart attack, you almost certainly picture a fairly dramatic scene involving someone experiencing severe chest pain, clutching their arm, and falling unconscious to the bottom. .
But in real life today, heart attacks often aren't that common. Some develop no symptoms, or only mild symptoms so unremarkable that folks mistake them for something else—a heart attack from a lunchtime burrito, fatigue, or strained chest muscles. Irritation.
Identifying a silent heart attack
People often don't know they've had a heart attack until they’ve an electrocardiogram (ECG) or stress test and a physician notes symptoms consistent with heart damage. Like traditional symptomatic heart attacks, a silent heart attack involves a blockage of blood flow to the center. It injures and scars a part of the center muscle, forsaking telltale signs.
Unfortunately, though a heart attack may go unnoticed, the damage it causes is real and puts you at a better risk of heart failure or a future heart attack.
Take motion after a silent heart attack.
If you discover that you’ve gotten had a silent heart attack, it is best to take steps to stop or control cardiovascular risk aspects, comparable to hypertension, high cholesterol, or diabetes, any of which A second heart attack may additionally occur.
Doctors don't fully understand why some people haven’t any symptoms — or only mild or unusual ones — during a heart attack, says Dr. O'Donoghue. To higher discover silent heart attacks, she says, more education is required in regards to the less common symptoms, which are sometimes very different from what people picture.
“I think the biggest misconception about a heart attack is that chest pain is 'painful' – in fact, most patients describe chest pain as a feeling of heaviness or squeezing in nature. Coffee can be light,” she says. “Women may additionally experience more odd symptoms, comparable to shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and tingling within the left arm or jaw.”
If you experience these symptoms, it's best to get them checked out instantly. Even in the event that they don't become heartwarming, it really is best to be protected than sorry.
Be careful heart!Take these steps to stop heart disease: Talk to your doctor about risk aspects. Identify things in your health history which will put you at higher risk for heart attack, comparable to hypertension, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease, and diabetes. Don't forget to say risk aspects specific to women, comparable to a history of early menopause (before age 40) or a past episode of preeclampsia (a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication marked by hypertension and urinary I actually have protein). Review your risk aspects along with your doctor. Be aware that your risk of heart problems may increase after menopause or after changes in your health. Get screened. Monitor your blood pressure, and if you’ve gotten risk aspects, comparable to a family history of the disease, being chubby or obese, or having gestational diabetes while pregnant. Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eat a heart-healthy food plan, meaning a food plan high in vegatables and fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, and low in processed foods, saturated fat, and sugar. Along with regular exercise, getting adequate high-quality sleep can be necessary. You also needs to work to cut back your stress levels. |
Management of risk aspects
“Because heart attack symptoms can be missed, it's important to continue regular follow-up with your primary care provider,” says Dr. O'Donoghue. She says he or she desires to order an ECG infrequently. “If a silent heart attack is identified, it can lead to further testing and appropriate treatment to ensure that another one does not occur and that the heart is healthy,” says Dr. O'Donoghue. Protect the muscles.”
Being energetic may also help be certain that your heart is healthy and that any risk aspects you’ve gotten for heart disease are properly managed.
Lifestyle changes, including improving food plan, quitting smoking, and exercising, will help protect you from additional heart problems, says Dr. O'Donoghue, even for those who've already had a silent heart attack. .
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