Arya WangSilent Medical Infarction (SMI) or Medically Silent Ischemia are additional names for silent heart attacks. Since nearly 50% of all heart attacks occur silently, the incidence of silent heart attacks is rising today.
There is nearly about 50% chance that you may not be able to recognize your heart attack – The reason: “Silent Heart Attacks”
What is a Silent Heart Attack?
A heart attack is called “silent” when it has no symptoms, mild symptoms, or symptoms people don’t connect to a heart attack. Heart attacks also referred to as myocardial infarctions, occur when your heart isn’t receiving enough oxygen. Your heart is hurt by this. By preventing blood from passing through one of your coronary arteries, a blood clot typically causes a heart attack. Less frequently, a coronary artery spasm can stop your blood flow.
Heart attacks can occur whether you are awake or asleep. They can happen when:
• You’ve just experienced intense physical or emotional stress.
• You start moving around more.
• You exercise outdoors in the chilly weather.
How Does a Silent Heart Attack Affect Your Body?
Similar to a more visible heart attack that prevents oxygen from reaching a portion of your heart, a silent heart attack can harm your heart. However, if you don’t know you’re having a heart attack, you might not get the treatment you need to stop the damage. Heart failure risk is increased after a silent heart attack, according to research.
Why a Silent Myocardial Infarction is Dangerous?
A number of recent studies have found that nearly half of heart attacks go undiagnosed because their victims don’t seek medical attention. They ran a high risk of passing away as a result.
What Are the Symptoms of a Silent Heart Attack?
Silent heart attacks are characterized by mild or nonexistent symptoms, as well as symptoms not typically related to a heart attack. They might not be conscious of having had a heart attack.
With a silent heart attack, symptoms can make you feel like:
• You have the flu.
• You’re experiencing upper back or chest pain.
• You feel pain in your upper back, arms, or jaw.
• You are very tired.
• You have indigestion.
Symptoms of a traditional heart attack may include:
• chest pain that persists for a long time.
• Shortness of breath.
• discomfort in your upper body.
• Lightheadedness.
• Cold sweats.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• unjustified fatigue that can last for a few days.
Why Do Many People Suffer from a Silent Heart Attack?
We are all very familiar with the typical symptoms of a heart attack. These warning signs and symptoms are so deeply ingrained in our memories that we hardly ever fail to recognize them.
In other words, we are all programmed to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack and have been taught to identify the telltale signs of a heart attack.
As we experience silent heart attacks, we are unfortunately not programmed to recognize silent myocardial infarctions, which is why many of us completely miss them.
How is a Silent Heart Attack Treated?
Due to the lack of obvious symptoms, a lot of people, unfortunately, don’t even realize they are having a silent heart attack. However, a heart attack of any kind is an emergency. Even if you’re unsure whether you’re having a heart attack, you should dial 911 immediately.
If you need to take an aspirin, a 911 operator can advise you. Medication can be administered to you by paramedics while you are in the ambulance.
At the hospital, your healthcare provider will:
• Monitor your heart.
• Give you oxygen.
• give you medication for pain relief and to dissolve or prevent blood clots.
Your doctor might perform a coronary angioplasty as soon as possible to clear a blood vessel that has grown too narrow or obstructed. The blood vessel can be kept open so that blood can flow through by inserting a stent inside of it. In certain circumstances, you might require a coronary artery bypass graft to open up a passageway for blood to pass around the blocked area.
How to Reduce the Risk of a Silent Heart Attack?
A heart attack may be avoided by taking aspirin, but you should consult your doctor first. Other things you can do to help prevent a heart attack include:
• Exercise.
• Put an end to your tobacco use.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Keep your stress under control.
• maintain a healthy weight.
Taking care of any medical issues can help you reduce your risk of having a heart attack if you have any that can.
These medical problems include:
• kidney disease that is persistent.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Diabetes.
• artery disease in the periphery.
Sadly, once you’ve had one, you could experience another heart attack. This is why it’s crucial to continue taking your medications and heed the advice of your doctor.
Conclusion
After a silent heart attack has occurred, it may take weeks or months before you even realize it. It’s best to understand what is typical for your body and seek assistance when something doesn’t feel right. You can recognize a silent heart attack if you are aware of its nuances. Don’t forget to visit your doctor for routine checkups. By attending to medical conditions that may cause a heart attack, you can also help yourself. Exercise and eating healthier can both be beneficial.
