Excruciating chest pain and shortness of breath are perhaps the first two symptoms you associate with a heart attack. But experts warn that some cardiovascular events are ‘silent’, with little to no red flags.
Cardiologist Dr Guruprasad Srinivas, director of Cardiac Rehab at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, recently told the New York Post that so-called ‘silent myocardial ischemia’ is actually among the most common manifestations of coronary heart disease.
Given the absence of symptoms, it is usually detected through tests like ECGs, driving home the importance of frequent check-ups. “Silent myocardial ischemia or silent heart attacks is defined as the presence of objective evidence of injury to the heart without any symptoms,” he told the publication.
“While chest pain has long been considered the cardinal symptom of heart disease, it is, in fact, no symptom (‘silent’) that is the most common manifestation of coronary heart disease.” Dr Srinivas’ views come as heart and circulatory diseases account for a quarter of all deaths in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation.
That’s equivalent to 170,000 deaths each year, 480 deaths per day or one every three minutes. Cleveland Clinic figures also suggest that painless silent events happen in around 20 to 60% of cases.
Amidst this, Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a retired GP at UK Care Guide, further warned that subtler heart attack signs are often dismissed as indigestion or even stress. He recently told the Express: “In my experience, I’ve encountered patients who had no idea they’d experienced a heart attack until a routine check-up or subsequent complications revealed it.
“This can happen due to how the heart attack manifests, affecting different nerves and areas of the heart. I always recommend being vigilant about symptoms such as chest discomfort – not necessarily pain – shortness of breath, nausea, light-headedness, or discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, or arms.
“It’s crucial to pay attention to these signs, especially if they are unusual for you. It’s vital to raise awareness about these differences in symptoms and encourage proactive healthcare behaviours among women.
“Regular check-ups and a good understanding of personal risk factors can make a significant difference. Remember, early detection and treatment are key.”
The NHS’ full list of other potential heart attack symptoms is below:
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