Causes of Silent Heart Attack
Silent heart attacks are an extreme form of a common medical condition known as silent ischemia. With silent ischemia, oxygen and nutrient-filled blood have difficulty making it to the heart.
Almost all cases of heart attacks are caused by atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease (CAD). Atherosclerosis happens when cholesterol plaque builds up in the heart arteries. While the plaque builds up, the arteries narrow. This is the same for all heart attacks, whether they are silent or not. When oxygen cannot reach the heart, the heart becomes damaged. In the majority of people, the severe pain known as angina happens as a result of the body protesting this lack of oxygen in nutrition. Approximately 25% of the people do not feel this pain and instead suffer from a silent heart attack.
While blocked arteries are the most common cause of heart attacks, they are not the only cause. This is especially true with silent heart attacks in women. Microvascular disease, in which the microscopic blood vessels of the heart have problems, can also cause heart attacks.
Although not as likely as coronary artery disease, a spasm that interrupts the blood flowing through the arteries can also lead to a heart attack. Unfortunately, the cause of these spasms is not clear. There are a variety of things that can cause coronary artery tightening, and it can be difficult to narrow down the exact cause. Cocaine and other drugs, including cigarette smoking, can lead to the spasms. Extreme cold exposure can also lead to these spasms. Finally, even stress or emotional pain can cause coronary spasms.
Some of the causes of a silent heart attack can be avoided. Coronary artery disease can run in families, so be aware if you are at risk due to your genes. While you can’t control your genes yet, you can control some of the causes of coronary artery disease and heart attacks. If you eat a healthy diet, exercise, and don’t smoke you’ll be less vulnerable to atherosclerosis and heart attacks.

Warning signs of Silent Heart Attack
The body gives several warning signs in the event of a normal heart attack. These signs may include pressure or a squeezing pain in the chest that lasts for more than a couple of minutes. A person may experience shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea, sweating, or even fainting along with chest discomfort. Nervousness and anxiety are common during a heart attack, as is a feeling of doom. The heart rate may be increased or beating irregularly. Finally, the pain in many heart attacks spreads to the neck, shoulders, or arms.
Unfortunately, the body does not always give warning. A silent heart attack accounts for around 25% of the heart attacks that occur. When a silent heart attack occurs, you don’t feel extreme chest pain or arm pain. Since silent heart attacks are easy to go unnoticed, but they can be deadly if they are not treated.
Although the warning signs of a heart attack may not apply to people with silent heart attacks, the body does sometimes warn you with less obvious signs. If you tire easily and have a shortness of breath, you might have had a silent heart attack. Also be aware of any discomfort in the chest, jaw, or arms. This discomfort might not be strong enough to label as pain, but it might be a warning sign of a silent heart attack.
The only way to identify a silent heart attack is to be examined by your doctor. An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be taken to measure heart activity. Your blood will be tested for cardiac enzymes. Finally, your medical history will be studied.
If you are worried about silent heart attacks, it is important to talk your physician. This is especially true if you are more at risk for a silent heart attack. People who have had prior heart attacks, people who have diabetes, women, anyone over 65 years of age, and individuals prone to strokes should be extra cautious since they are more likely to experience silent heart attacks.