Silent heart attack without any chest pain: Stay informed!

By Medicover Hospitals / 28 March 2022

Home | Articles | Silent heart attack without any chest pain: Stay informed!

By Dr Chetan Jain
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist
Published on 08/07/2022

Heart attacks have been on a rise, especially since the last few years. It strikes when no one is expecting it, leading to heart-related complications or even death.
A person can suffer a silent heart attack without any chest pains and not even realize it. A silent heart attack, silent ischemia, or silent myocardial infarction (SMI), is often found in women more than men

Silent Heart Attack

We can say a heart attack to be silent if it exhibits no traditional symptoms, mild symptoms, or symptoms usually not associated with the heart problem.
Many people don't even come to know that they had a silent myocardial infarction (SMI) until their doctor notices heart damage.
Myocardial infarction (MI) occurs due to suspended blood flow to the heart causing heart muscle damage. The blood flow blockage induces a sensation of pain or pressure. Coronary artery disease (CAD) gives rise to myocardial infarction (MI).

Risk Factors For Silent Heart Attacks

Silent Heart Attacks involve the same risk factors as common 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

Consuming foods containing high cholesterol, salt, and unhealthy fats Having a one-time silent myocardial infarction (SMI) increases the chances of having another one, which could turn out to be fatal.

Silent Heart Attack Symptoms

• Flu
• A torn muscle in the chest or back
• Pain in your jaw, arms, back, or upper abdomen
• Breathlessness
• Heartburn
• Very tired
• Indigestion
• Lightheadedness

Warning signs of a traditional heart attack are -

• Chest pain that stays for a few minutes.
• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling lightheaded
• Cold sweats
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Feeling weak for a few days for no reason

Silent Heart Attack treatment

• Preventing further complications with medications and revascularization (stents or bypass surgery)
• Prevent heart failure
• Preventing death from cardiac arrhythmia
• Regular health check-ups
• Follow healthy lifestyle

Silent Heart Attack Diagnosis -

• Medical history
• Physical examination
• Electrocardiogram or ECG
• Blood tests
• Coronary angiography
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• CT scan
• Exercise stress test
• Nuclear stress test
• Echocardiogram

Silent Heart Attack Prevention

• Avoid chewing or smoking tobacco, also stay away from secondhand smoke
• Eat a nutritious diet
• Make exercise your regular habit
• Keep stress levels low
• Keep blood pressure in check
• Maintain blood sugar levels in case of diabetes
• Do regular health check-ups
• Sleep well
• Maintain healthy weight

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