Typical signs of a heart attack include shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat, chest pain, and pain in the left arm. But severe chest-clutching agony is not usually a sign of a heart attack. Known as quiet or hidden heart attacks, many go undetected and can be just as harmful, if not more so.
The signs of a quiet or hidden heart attack can be nonexistent, mild, or undetectable. Since you are unaware that you are having a heart attack, you may put off getting medical attention to prevent more harm, making silent heart attacks more dangerous.
According to Dr. Bipin Kumar Dubey, HOD-Cardiology at Max Hospital, "a hidden heart attack occurs when the typical symptoms, like severe chest pain or breathlessness, are mild, vague, or even absent."
How to recognise a hidden heart attack
In contrast to a typical heart attack, concealed heart attacks present with subtle, enigmatic symptoms that most people ignore. Rather, individuals may experience mild discomfort, exhaustion, dyspepsia, or a minor pressure in the upper back, jaw, or chest. These mild symptoms are typically disregarded because they are thought to be acidity, the flu, or general fatigue, Dr. Dubey said.
Early detection of these symptoms can help you avoid a major heart attack and provide you with vital time to seek medical attention, especially if you have risk factors including diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, or a family history.
Here's why some people fail to recognise a heart attack
"People don't recognize these attacks for a number of reasons. Individuals with diabetes, women, and older folks are more likely to have unusual symptoms.
"Neuropathy, or nerve deterioration, can lessen pain perception in diabetics, hiding the severity of a heart attack. Furthermore, people who have never experienced cardiac problems before might not be aware of them, particularly if they lead an active lifestyle or feel "healthy," the specialist continued.
Dangers of hidden heart attacks
Regretfully, silent heart attacks can harm the heart just as much as visible ones. "Over time, untreated damage weakens the heart and increases the risk of future, more severe attacks or heart failure," he stated.
How to identify a hidden heart attack
Regular health examinations are the only method to detect a hidden heart attack, particularly if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, or a family history of heart disease. According to Dr. Dubey, "an echocardiogram, stress test, or ECG can help identify past silent events." Paying attention to your feelings is crucial. "Observe your body; even the smallest clues can have a big impact. The expert advised, "It's better to check and be wrong than to ignore and be too late."
The signs of a quiet or hidden heart attack can be nonexistent, mild, or undetectable. Since you are unaware that you are having a heart attack, you may put off getting medical attention to prevent more harm, making silent heart attacks more dangerous.
According to Dr. Bipin Kumar Dubey, HOD-Cardiology at Max Hospital, "a hidden heart attack occurs when the typical symptoms, like severe chest pain or breathlessness, are mild, vague, or even absent."
How to recognise a hidden heart attack
In contrast to a typical heart attack, concealed heart attacks present with subtle, enigmatic symptoms that most people ignore. Rather, individuals may experience mild discomfort, exhaustion, dyspepsia, or a minor pressure in the upper back, jaw, or chest. These mild symptoms are typically disregarded because they are thought to be acidity, the flu, or general fatigue, Dr. Dubey said.
Early detection of these symptoms can help you avoid a major heart attack and provide you with vital time to seek medical attention, especially if you have risk factors including diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, or a family history.
Here's why some people fail to recognise a heart attack
"People don't recognize these attacks for a number of reasons. Individuals with diabetes, women, and older folks are more likely to have unusual symptoms.
"Neuropathy, or nerve deterioration, can lessen pain perception in diabetics, hiding the severity of a heart attack. Furthermore, people who have never experienced cardiac problems before might not be aware of them, particularly if they lead an active lifestyle or feel "healthy," the specialist continued.
Dangers of hidden heart attacks
Regretfully, silent heart attacks can harm the heart just as much as visible ones. "Over time, untreated damage weakens the heart and increases the risk of future, more severe attacks or heart failure," he stated.
How to identify a hidden heart attack
Regular health examinations are the only method to detect a hidden heart attack, particularly if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, or a family history of heart disease. According to Dr. Dubey, "an echocardiogram, stress test, or ECG can help identify past silent events." Paying attention to your feelings is crucial. "Observe your body; even the smallest clues can have a big impact. The expert advised, "It's better to check and be wrong than to ignore and be too late."
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