Can one have a heart attack without knowing it? For sure: it is called silent cardiac ischemia and it is deadly. Here’s how to recognise this silent stalker’s modus operandi…

Classic heart attacks

Most heart attacks, the number one killer of both men and women worldwide, occur when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart is blocked by a build-up of plaque in the arteries that supply these necessary nutrients to the heart. This, in turn, causes irrevocable damage to the heart and heart muscle (myocardium) if not caught in time. Doctors have a saying, “time is myocardium”, meaning that damage to the heart muscle may be minimised and the odds of survival improved if prompt action is taken when a heart attack is suspected.

Fortunately, most people are aware of the classic symptoms of a “straight-forward” heart attack (myocardial infarction), namely:

    • Heart-related chest pain, a crushing, squeezing feeling of pressure and tightness in the chest, or as one patient described it, “an elephant standing on your chest”
    • Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, arms, wrists and elbows or upper abdomen, and even to the lower jaw
    • Shortness of breath, feeling lightheaded, fainting, sweating or feeling nauseous and vomiting
    • Anxiety, nervousness and a feeling of impending doom
    • Pale, cold and sweaty skin
    • Rapid or irregular heart beat.

Not all these symptoms occur in every attack and chest pain can also be associated with other disorders, but a combination of the above-mentioned chest pain and some of these symptoms needs urgent medical attention and may well be an impending heart attack.

The silent stalker

This brings us to the case of the silent stalker, namely the silent heart attack or cardiac ischemia. These heart attacks occur without warning and without chest pain or the typical symptoms of a classic heart attack. People who have had silent heart attacks often end up in the doctor’s rooms complaining of other a-typical symptoms such as flu, extreme exhaustion, back pain, shoulder pain and indigestion, only to find out that they have had a heart attack when their doctor suggests an MRI scan or EKG test.

Unfortunately, these silent heart attacks do a lot of damage because they are not detected early and in time to minimise the scarring and damage done to the heart and heart muscle. However, by addressing the risk factors involved, opportunities arise to restore heart muscle damage and prevent a second heart attack.

Narrow the risks

Risk factors for silent heart attacks are similar to those for classic heart attacks with a few exceptions, namely:

    • High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. Diabetics are at special risk of developing a silent heart attack
    • Family history of heart disease. If you have previously had a heart attack or suffer from angina you are more at risk of a silent heart attack
    • Obesity and poor nutrition
    • Smoking
    • High stress lifestyles and lack of exercise
    • Gender and age. According to scientific studies, the elderly and women are more at risk of having silent heart attacks because they usually have less typical heart attack symptoms such as anxiety, shortness of breath, upset tummy and nausea, dizziness or unexplained exhaustion.

How to outmanoeuvre the silent stalker

Doctors recommend the following:

    • Respect pain: have it checked out
    • Be aware of your risks: control those you can and keep a close watch on those you can’t by going for regular check ups
    • Recognise the symptoms of heart attacks even if you do not have chest pain
    • Take prompt action and seek treatment.

Always remember that you are the best judge of whether there is something “wrong” with your body. Listen to your body and don’t brush aside unfamiliar, mild or vague symptoms. Outmanoeuvre the silent stalker and don’t become another victim of the widow/widower-maker.

 

Sources
Bryant, C. 2013. Could you have a heart attack and not know it? Retrieved from: http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/cardiovascular/heart/heart-attack-no-symptoms.htm
Graham, J. 2012. The deadly threat of silent heart attacks. Retrieved from: http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/02/the-deadly-threat-of-silent-heart-attacks/?_r=0
Iarocci, T. 2013. Heart attack symptoms in women. Retrieved from: http://www.symptomfind.cm/health/heart-attack-symptoms-in-women/
Silver, K. Silent heart attack: symptoms, risks. Retrieved from: https://www.goredforwomen.org/about-heart-disease/facts about heart disease in women-sub-category/silent-heart-attack-symptoms-risks/