Health experts have issued a warning for two specific groups who are at risk of experiencing a “silent” heart attack. These attacks, as the name implies, can strike without any obvious symptoms and may go undetected for an extended period.
Professor Tim Chico, a cardiologist writing for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), described silent heart attacks as “common”, constituting about one-third of all heart attack cases. He remarked: “While some people cannot remember having symptoms, others will see a doctor because of toothache, back pain or generally feeling unwell, and, after investigations like ECGs (electrocardiograms) and blood tests, they’re found to have had a ‘silent’ heart attack.”
The danger of these attacks lies in the potential delay of treatment. “This means you miss out on treatments that reduce damage to the heart and the risk of having another heart attack,” he said.
“The quicker you start these treatments, the more effective they are.” Prof Chico highlighted that discovering a silent heart attack often occurs after suffering another heart attack, which might have been preventable with earlier treatment.
Prof Chico warned that some people are more at risk of silent heart attacks than others. This includes:
- Elderly people – possibly because they live with symptoms that may, or may not, be related to heart problems
- People with diabetes – who may not feel chest pain because of nerve damage from their diabetes.
Cleveland Clinic experts have highlighted that a silent heart attack could manifest in symptoms similar to flu, muscle soreness in the chest or upper back, an ache in the jaw, arms or upper back, extreme fatigue, or indigestion. To mitigate the risk of a heart attack, Prof Chico advised: “The key to preventing a heart attack is having a healthy lifestyle. If you’re at higher risk because of high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, talk to your doctor about treatment.”
A heart attack transpires when the blood supply to the heart is abruptly obstructed, often due to a blood clot. The most prevalent symptoms of a heart attack can include:
- Pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy
- Chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing or wheezing
- Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- An overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
- Sweating
However, the NHS has stated: “While the most common symptom is chest pain, symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people may have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain without any chest pain.”
If you experience any signs of a heart attack, you should call 999. And if you are concerned about your heart health but it is not an emergency you should speak to your GP.