Top 10 Warning Signs Of Silent Heart Attack You Should Not Ignore
When you think of a heart attack, you probably imagine someone clutching their
chest and collapsing to the ground. However, a silent heart attack is much more insidious
and difficult to detect. This type of attack does not produce any noticeable symptoms.
Consequently, many people who experience a silent heart attack do not know until further
testing reveals the truth. And how common is this? Well, out of estimated 805,000
heart attacks each year in the U.S, 170,000 of them are silent. As it may go unnoticed,
it can cause great damage, and without treatment, it can be deadly. However, there
are some telltale signs that can indicate whether or not you are at risk for a silent heart attack.
In today's video, we will share with you the top 10 warning signs
of a silent heart attack you should not ignore.
#1. Jaw, neck, or upper back pain When it comes to recognizing the signs
of a heart attack, most people think of chest pain as the primary indicator. While chest pain is one
of the main warning signs, it is not the only one. In fact, many people who have had a heart
attack reported experiencing neck or jaw pain before other symptoms like shortness of breath
and nausea set in. This is because when having a heart attack, Your cardiac muscle contracts with
great force. This can put stress on your bones and ligaments, leading to aches in your jaw or neck.
#2. Excessive fatigue. Excess fatigue is when you feel tired all
the time and is one of the early warning signs of a heart attack. In a study conducted by American
Heart Association, They looked at 515 women who had a heart attack and found that 70 percent of
them experienced unusual tiredness before a heart attack. It occurs because, during a heart attack,
there is extra stress on your heart to try to pump blood while the blood flow is blocked,
making you feel tired. Though fatigue could be due to workload, or a change in sleep routine, if you
are feeling tired without any apparent reason, it could be a sign of a silent heart attack.
#3. Squeezing chest pressure When you experience chest pressure,
it is a sign of something going wrong with your heart. This pain is also known as
anginal or substernal chest pain. The pressure usually feels like an uncomfortable squeezing
sensation in the center of your chest. It can feel more like a cramp than anything else and
lasts for several minutes at a time. If you ever experience this kind of discomfort in your chest,
it is vital to take action as soon as possible to reduce the risk of permanent damage to your heart.
Some other non-cardiac chest pain could be due to a problem related to the esophagus,
lungs, stress, anxiety, or musculoskeletal injuries.
#4. Sweating Sweating when one feels hot
or during exercise is a natural process, and some amount of sweating is expected. However, if you
find yourself sweating even when you are inactive, Or it is cold outside, it could be an indication
of something more serious going on, like a heart attack. When your arteries are clogged, it takes
more effort for the heart to pump blood, so your body sweats more to keep the body temperature down
during this extra exertion. So if you are sweating more than usual and it is combined with
other warning signs like nausea, dizziness, and light-headedness, immediately go for a checkup.
#5. Bloating, nausea, or poor appetite The feeling of being full even if you have not
eaten a lot and nausea could be an indication that you are experiencing heart failure.
It is because of fluid retention, plus the heart is not pumping efficiently, the volume of the
circulating blood decreases and gets diverted from the digestive system to more vital organs like
the brain. This gradually results in weight loss and muscle loss. So, if you experience
sudden changes in your appetite without apparent reason, it is a good idea to go for a checkup.
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#6. Light-headedness or dizziness When you have a heart attack,
your body is deprived of oxygen because the blood supply to a particular part of the heart
is blocked. Your heart is not able to send enough blood out to supply;
the functions of the body start to fail to make you feel dizzy.
However, some people experience dizziness as a symptom without any other indicators.
Such instances are usually triggered by stress or dehydration. Even so, you should see your
doctor if the feeling persists and make sure it is not caused by something more serious.
#7. Difficulty breathing Besides the heartbeat,
the involuntary inhaling and exhaling of the lungs go unnoticed by most people. However,
it becomes very noticeable when it stops working properly. Shortness of breath is a sensation of
not being able to breathe efficiently. The lungs may feel heavy, or the patient may feel compelled
to breathe rapidly and shallowly. It may result from anxiety, anemia, or allergic reactions,
but the underlying cause is usually lung or heart trouble and is more common in
women. Whatever the reason is, shortness of breath is never a symptom to take lightly.
#8. Swollen legs, ankles, or abdomen Swelling occurs due to fluid buildup in the body.
During a heart, attack heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively; As a result,
blood can back up in your legs, ankles, and feet, causing edema. Also, the blood supply
to the kidneys gets disturbed, making them less able to get rid of sodium and water out of the
body. Fluid retention is a sign of heart attack in about 20 percent of cases. If you see these signs
in yourself or someone else, it is important to act quickly. The sooner you get medical attention,
the better chance you have of preventing further complications from a heart attack.
#9. Persistent flu If you get the flu and cannot shake it,
that might be a red flag. Studies have shown that flu is associated with an
increased risk of heart attack and stroke. A 2018 study found that the risk of heart attack
increases 6 times within a week of flu infection. Even though influenza itself won't lead to a
heart attack or any other permanent damage, It can indicate that there are underlying
issues in your body that may predispose you to heart disease and other cardiac problems.
Especially if it starts after your regular heart rate increases, you experience shortness
of breath, or you notice other symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain or pressure.
#10. Trouble sleeping Yes, lack of sleep can indicate serious problems.
A study published in the journal Current Cardiology Reviews shows that people who
experience restless sleep are at an increased risk of heart disease. In case of a heart attack,
the left coronary artery is blocked because of an accumulation of fat or a blood clot. This
prevents sufficient blood supply to some parts of the heart. As a result, certain areas in the left
ventricle do not get enough oxygenated blood and start malfunctioning. The body responds to this by
triggering alertness hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. These hormones
trigger other responses in the body, including difficulty sleeping. So, if you are not able
to sleep peacefully and spend all night tossing and turning in bed, it could be a serious issue.
When it comes to your heart, the small things matter. Heart attack is one of the leading
causes of death globally, but taking small measures like eating healthy, regular exercise,
and avoiding smoking can significantly reduce your risk. If you experience any signs or symptoms and
you are not sure if it is anything to worry about, it is best to consult your physician and not take
any risks. If you think you have experienced the symptoms of a heart attack, you must call 9-1-1
and get help fast. Even if it does not seem like a big deal at first, It could save your life.
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