While silent heart attacks have no obvious symptoms, their consequences can be serious.
Most often, heart attacks come with warning signs, like shortness of breath, chest pain, indigestion or discomfort in the neck, left arm or jaw. With silent heart attacks, no such symptoms appear.
Marshfield Clinic cardiologist Dr. Shereif Rezkalla said that often, particularly in individuals with diabetes, which can impact nerve function, silent heart attack sufferers feel no symptoms at all. Other times, “they may experience very mild symptoms both the patient and the doctor may miss,” Rezkalla said.
A heart attack occurs when blood is prevented from reaching part of the heart muscle because of a blockage in the coronary artery, which results in damage or death of that muscle. Typically, a heart attack, from the moment the artery is blocked to its conclusion, lasts about six hours, Rezkalla said.
“That’s why we always say ‘time is money.’ Actually, in cardiology, we always say time is myocardium, which is the muscle tissue of the heart,” Rezkalla said. “Early intervention with heart attacks is key.”
About one-third of all heart attacks are silent, according to Rezkalla.
Silent but just as dangerous
Silent heart attacks impact a patient’s health in the same way and with the same severity as a heart attack that presents symptoms.
“The impact depends on how big the heart muscle is that died or is scarred,” Rezkalla said. “If it’s a large muscle, then it is a significant impact. If it’s a small muscle, it’s a smaller impact.”
Rezkalla said he worries more about silent heart attacks than heart attacks with symptoms.
I personally think silent heart attacks are more serious. Anything that happens without any warning, without any symptom to push you to go to the hospital or to your doctor, is serious,” Rezkalla said.
“If you feel nothing, the damage will be done at home instead of having your situation managed by your doctor.”
How silent heart attacks are detected
Silent heart attack sufferers generally won’t know they have suffered an attack until they see their doctor and have an electrocardiogram. However, if the silent heart attack was severe, individuals may begin to experience shortness of breath after the incident.
With today’s technology, doctors at Marshfield Clinic can monitor a patient’s heart activity while they’re at home. This allows for detection of silent heart attacks, even if the patient never notices symptoms.
Risk factors
Rezkalla said individuals at higher risk for heart attacks, silent or not, include people who:
- Have diabetes
- Have a family history of heart problems
- Smoke
- Have high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque forming on the walls of arteries, which can create blockages within those arteries.
Prevention of heart attacks, silent or otherwise
“There are things all of us as human beings must do, whether or not we have a family history of heart disease, whether or not we are young or old,” Rezkalla said. He recommends daily exercise, a healthy diet and not smoking as key factors in maintaining good heart health.
Talk with your doctor about your risk factors and steps you can take to promote a healthier heart.
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Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and in no way appear to get one thing done.
I never even thought about the possibility of a heart attack. BP and Pulse were consistently normal. Only clue that I missed was in increase in tiredness which I attributed to normal aging (75). I was taking more daytime naps and was short of breath when walking more than a block or two. Ignoring this symptom almost cost me my life. Thanks to an alert spouse, paramedics, and Dr. Rezkalla and his team, plus a lot of prayers from family and friends I am feeling better than I have in years. Now I am in the cardiac rehab program following bypass surgery by Dr. Maki. I learned the hard way. I hope others recognize the symptoms that I didn't Spread the word. Silent heart attacks are real.
Thanks for sharing your story, Don. Happy to hear you are feeling better and making progress. -Kirstie
Is the at home monitoring device you mentioned a Holter monitor or is there a new monitoring device?
Hi, Donna. According to Dr. Rezkalla, it is an advanced device – the Holter monitor. Thank you. -Kirstie
It says in the article that Drs. Can monitor you at home. How is this done?
Hi, Richard. Great question. In the story interview with Dr. Rezkalla, he noted the patient gets a small monitoring device that records his or her heart activity. The data can be transmitted either by phone line or wirelessly. There is more than one system, depending on patient history. The device can be applied when the patient visits Marshfield Clinic Cardiology. It has to be ordered after seeing a doctor to decide what type is most appropriate.
I hope this helps clarify. -Kirstie
Thank you Kirstie for your response. Is this device covered by Medicare and my supplement policy?
Richard, Marshfield Clinic has MCOTs (set to auto detect/record arrhythmias) and Holter monitors. Most insurances cover both, but all patients should check with their insurance provider on coverage. The company does a prior authorization before sending a monitor to a patient. -Kirstie
Dr. Rezkalla saved my life in Sept. 1998 & again in 2006. I have followed the above advise as close as possible . I believe that I am here at 70 yrs old because of it. Last yr was my 32nd trip to the mountains of Colorado elk hunting. I am in the Wisconsin woods almost daily exercising and living the healthy life style. Thank you Doctor Rezkalla and Marshfield Clinic.
Martin V. S., Jr.
Mondovi, Wisconsin
Very inspiring, Martin. Thank you for sharing your experience; I will be sure to also share your kind feedback with Dr. Rezkalla. -Kirstie