Contents
A silent heart attack is a heart attack with nonspecific symptoms. We can therefore confuse it with a cold, exhaustion or poisoning. What symptoms might indicate a silent heart attack? Who is at risk and what tests will allow us to detect that we have had a silent heart attack?
- A silent heart attack has unusual symptoms and can therefore be mistaken for the flu or food poisoning
- Having a silent heart attack can be as dangerous as a regular heart attack
- You can identify the presence of a silent heart attack by a blood test, EKG or MRI
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
What is a silent heart attack?
A silent heart attack is an infarction with little characteristic symptoms that may not be associated with heart problems. Usually, a heart attack is associated with symptoms such as numbness in the left hand, pain in the sternum, shoulder pain, shortness of breath or fainting. In the case of a silent infarction, also referred to as having a heart attack or a silent heart attack, there are unclear symptoms.
Symptoms of a silent heart attack include:
- severe fatigue;
- feeling weak;
- apathy;
- balance disorders;
- paleness;
- stomach pain;
- heartburn;
- nausea and vomiting;
- shortness of breath;
- slight heart palpitations.
Such a silent heart attack can be considered general exhaustion, food poisoning, cold or flu. But although a mute infarction causes milder symptoms than a fully symptomatic infarction, it is no less dangerous..
It is worth taking care of prophylaxis and strengthening the heart with a healthy lifestyle. We can supplement the diet with supplements such as Omega-3 oil 1200mg, coenzyme Q10 Synergy with taurine for the heart or elixir for the heart with hawthorn inflorescence extract.
Consequences of a silent heart attack
Due to the non-specific symptoms, a silent infarction may go undetected. Nevertheless, it is life-threatening as it causes myocardial ischemia and necrosis. The progression of necrosis in a silent infarction may be slower and may involve a smaller part of the heart, but unidentified death of a part of the heart may be fatal. With a silent heart attack, a significant part of the heart may gradually die.
Possible complications after a silent infarction also include acute heart failure, rupture of the interventricular septum or free heart wall, as well as arrhythmias.
Symptoms of a silent heart attack may persist and get worse over time. As a result of these ailments, the patient may eventually decide to undergo a medical consultation. Each heart attack requires medical intervention as soon as possible, which is why, even in the case of a silent heart attack, the fastest possible medical assistance is essential.
Cardiovascular health prophylaxis should be supplemented with regular blood pressure measurements using a selected blood pressure monitor from the Medonet Market offer.
How can you tell if you have had a silent heart attack?
In case of symptoms suggesting a heart attack, go to the hospital as soon as possible. This also applies to non-specific symptoms, which nevertheless cause concern to us, especially if we are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. If we suspect that we have had a silent heart attack in the past, we should also have a checkup as soon as possible.
After a silent heart attack, we may suffer from shortness of breath and greater fatigue.
If we start the diagnostics quickly enough, an infarction can be diagnosed by examining the level of cardiac troponins. The concentration of these proteins regulating myocardial contractions increases after the infarction, and their highest level is found 3-6 hours after the onset of this emergency. Troponin levels gradually decline over the following days. We will perform a troponin examination as soon as possible in a hospital when we are there with a suspicion of a heart attack. If we want to be tested privately, we can also opt for a package of blood tests that control the work of the heart, which includes a test for hs Troponin I level.
What tests will allow to recognize a previous heart attack, if more time has passed? After a silent heart attack, a scar usually remains and can be detected on an EKG. Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart will also be a more detailed examination. It is an imaging test that allows you to precisely locate changes resulting from a heart attack.
Take good care of your heart. Use the products included in the composition For the heart – herbal set, which you can buy at an attractive price at Medonet Market.
Zobacz: 10 factors that increase your risk of a heart attack
Who is at risk of a silent heart attack?
People with impaired sensation are more likely to suffer from a silent heart attack, including the elderly, suffering from chronic diseases, e.g. diabetes. In the latter case, the advanced stages of diabetes, including the presence of diabetic neuropathy, are of particular importance. Mute infarction also affects women less frequently than men, but there is a higher probability of a heart attack with or without unusual symptoms.