As dangerous as a common heart attack, the silent heart attack gives very subtle signs or even leaves no clues that it has happened. Sometimes, the person does not realize that he/she is having a heart attack and only finds out that he/she had the problem when having a routine check-up.

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What is a silent heart attack?

First, it is important to remember or know what a heart attack is, both silent and symptomatic. In short, the condition is what we popularly know as a heart attack, which occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is interrupted or compromised. "Usually the heart attack happens because of an obstruction of vessels and arteries that carry blood to the heart," explains Alexandre Soeiro,A cardiologist from BP - The Beneficência Portuguesa Hospital of São Paulo. At first, the responsible for this blockage are fatty plaques or blood clots that hinder the circulation of blood and oxygen to the organ.

This scenario represents a heart attack, the most common symptoms of which are severe pain or tightness and burning sensation in the chest, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, dizziness, vomiting, and in some cases temporary loss of consciousness. "However, in the silent heart attack, these discomforts are not evident. So, the patient is unaware that he suffered a heart attack at the time and may have others in the same way," warns Soeiro.

How do I know if I have had a silent heart attack?

According to the cardiologist, it is essential to see a doctor to identify if you have been the victim of an episode: "When doing routine tests, the doctor evaluates the changes in the exams that are compatible with a heart attack, which can be scarring or fibrosis in the heart muscle. If the person doesn't know about the condition, they probably had a silent heart attack", he clarifies.

Even a study by American Heart Association points out that 20% of heart attacks are silent, and most victims become aware of the situation just when they go to the doctor for a checkup or because of other complaints.

Not always so quiet

In some cases, the heart attack may in fact be silent and not cause discomfort that arouses suspicion. On the other hand, men and women have different reactions to a heart attack. Among men, a heart attack with acute symptoms is more common; among women, the incident may be more discreet, with mild burning in the chest, headaches, and a subtle indisposition. For this reason,Many believe that they are going through an anxiety attack or temporary malaise and dismiss the visit to the doctor.

Soeiro points out that any individual can be a victim of the incident. In addition to women, people with advanced age and diabetes are part of the risk group.

Signs to watch out for

In addition to the above symptoms, a silent or not very obvious heart attack can cause:

• Stomach burning.
• Back pain.
• Tingling in the left arm and neck.
• Chest discomfort during exercise that goes away when you rest.

Risks and how to take care of yourself

In general, a single silent heart attack is usually less serious, but the problem is that the patient can have a succession of episodes that can lead to death," warns the doctor.

To avoid it or to prevent it, Soeiro emphasizes frequent medical follow-up, especially if the person has any heart disease. After all, any changes or deficiencies in the anatomy of the heart or cardiovascular system are also risk factors for a heart attack.some disease early on, we avoid complications," he adds.

Last but not least: lifestyle has a relevant weight in the future of our health: "Physical activity, balanced diet, and the control of diseases such as hypertension and diabetes make all the difference and can reduce the incidence of a heart attack, silent or otherwise", concludes the specialist.

Source: Alexandre Soeiro, cardiologist at BP - The Beneficência Portuguesa Hospital of São Paulo.