To begin with, “when people think of a heart attack, they often think of sudden chest pressures, blaring sirens rushing to the hospital. Yet not all heart attacks make a loud entrance. In fact, some have occurred quietly without any obvious signs and symptoms. These heart attacks, called silent heart attacks, occur more frequently and more treacherously than most people know.”
Silent heart attack enables the attack to happen with little to no pain. Most people report, “I think I had a heart attack but now I feel fine.” This in itself is the reason for the dangerous effects of the silent heart attack. Despite the minimal pain experienced during the attack, the heart is still being damaged. This will then affect the life expectancy of the human being as a result of the silent heart attack not being treated.
What Is a Silent Heart Attack and Why Is It Dangerous?
A silent heart attack is where the oxygen reaching the heart is blocked, similar to a regular heart attack. The only variation is the symptoms, which could be faint, unclear, or nonexistent. For some people, they might experience tiredness, fever, or a lack of comfort, thinking they might be stressed or have indigestion.
Of course, the real risk is not the silence per se—it’s the consequences that follow. When an undiagnosed silent heart attack slips through the cracks unnoticed in the heart, the heart simply becomes scarred. This makes the heart weaken and creates the potential for future complications such as heart failure, stroke, or another heart attack. This is the reason doctors warn us are silent heart attacks dangerous? Of course, the answer is yes.
There is evidence from other studies that silent heart attacks are common, and they account for a large percentage of heart attacks. It is therefore clear that when one does not seek medical attention for his/her heart attack, then there is an increased hazard.
Silent Heart Attack Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Symptoms of a silent heart attack are easy to pass by. They are not really “heart” feelings. A person may experience unusual tiredness, a feeling of squeezing in the chest, nausea, dizziness, or cold sweats.
This becomes even more important in women’s cases. Although the present symptoms women experience with silent heart attack are not the same as men, women often complain of jaw discomfort, back discomfort, extreme fatigue, or difficulty breathing, while some think that the symptoms present are anxiety or fatigue.
This also slows down the process of silent heart attack and subsequently affects its survival rate and quality of life.
Can You Feel Fine After a Heart Attack?
Yes, it is certainly possible to feel just as normal after a heart attack, especially a silent one. For that reason, few people are even aware that a heart attack has actually taken place. But feeling just as normal as always does not automatically make the heart normal.
Many cases of silent heart attacks come to light when doctors conduct ECG or scan tests for other reasons. Even if such cases come to light, the damage may already have occurred. “A major factor helping to raise life expectancy is diagnosis of silent myocardial infarction at an early stage.”
Life Expectancy After Silent Heart Attack Explained Simply
What, then, is the reality of life expectancy after a silent heart attack?
There is no answer as this will depend on:
- Age
- Amount of damage done to the heart
- WHETHER TREATMENT WAS INITIATED
- Lifestyle Changes After Diagnosis
Studies have also suggested that people who survive silent heart attacks have the opportunity to live as long as those who have experienced heart attacks. Further, the research has suggested that when people have not yet sought treatment, the complications can lead to their death.
This is why silent heart attacks are fatal? They are fatal when ignored.
For the youth, the expectancy period for those who experienced heart attacks in their 40s will likely be long with good health maintenance. For the aged, heart attack survival depends greatly on general health conditions. The expectancy period for heart attacks by age shows great improvement with medicine, exercise, and healthy lifestyles.
Silent Heart Attack Recovery Time and Daily Life
The time needed to recover from a silent type of heart attack differs from one person to another. Due to people’s lack of awareness about when they suffered a heart attack, the process of regaining health may start late.
After the heart disease is confirmed as such, recovery will involve medication, lifestyle modification, and even heart rehabilitation therapy in some cases. While the heart can take as many as weeks to recover from the attack, the protection of the heart is an ongoing lifetime activity.
There is a lot of interest in life expectancy following a 1st Heart Attack. The 1st Heart Attack, as a warning sign, although silent or otherwise, is a lesson taken seriously, which leads people through life.
Treatment and Medicine for Silent Heart Attack
Similarly, the treatment given to someone for a silent heart attack is almost the same as that of a regular heart attack. A person needs to be protected from a second heart attack.
Usually, patients who experience a silent heart attack are advised on the type of medication they need, which includes blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering agents, as well as medications for those with high blood pressure.
After receiving treatment, the possibility of another attack occurring is reduced as the life expectancy after the silent heart attack increases significantly.
Physical and Emotional Effects After a Silent Heart Attack
Although these symptoms were slight, the physical sequelae of the heart attack can occur later on. These can include tiredness, shortness of breath, reduced stamina, or an abnormal heartbeat.
Emotionally, people may feel anxious or afraid of the disease. Managing stress becomes extremely vital as the anxiety feels like another heart attack to the people being affected.
Can a Silent Heart Attack Kill You?
This is one of the most asked questions: Can a silent heart attack kill a person?
Yes, it can—but usually not right away. The major problem is that, if left untreated, heart damage can lead to heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, and sudden death. This is the reason why the silent heart attack death rate increases if necessary treatment is not rendered.
Long-term Prognosis and Risk of Heart Failure
Some individuals go into heart failure following a silent heart attack. Early-stage heart failure does not mean that the heart will suddenly stop. Stage 1 heart failure can still hold many years in life expectancy with proper treatment and change in lifestyle.
The key is early action. Small heart attacks often lead to bigger ones if ignored.
Conclusion
Although the silent heart attack is silent, the effects can be dramatic. One can quickly move on and continue daily activities with no clue as to what has just occurred. One can quickly continue as if nothing has taken place. However, the heart will have remembered. A silent heart attack will continue to undermine the strength of the heart if not given the necessary treatment.
The good news is that with early discovery, treatment, and healthy lifestyles, the life expectancy following a silent heart attack can be extended for a long period of meaningful life. Caring for one’s body by being checked by a physician on a regular basis and taking one’s symptoms seriously can save one’s life.
Your heart doesn’t always warn you loudly. Sometimes, it whispers. And those whispers deserve attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible for a person to lead a normal life after a silent heart attack?
Yes, a normal life is expected after suffering a silent heart attack. It is important to note, though, that early detection and treatment, alongside lifestyle modifications, play a crucial role in life expectancy after a silent heart attack. For example, “taking medicine correctly, eating good foods, and walking every day can contribute to a long life after a silent heart attack.”
Is it possible to talk during a silent heart attack?
Yes, one can even speak normally. In some instances of silent heart attacks, one is not aware of what is going on. They carry on with their activities as usual.
What tests detect a silent heart attack?
Usually, silent heart attacks are detected through various medical investigations like an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, blood tests, CT scan, MRI, etc. The investigations detect the old damage to the heart, however, the individual might have been normal in the past.
What is the condition called “silent danger”?
The silent danger is the hurt to the heart muscles that is not related to pain or symptoms. That is the reason people do not search for treatment, as their condition worsens to heart failure, strokes, or even death as they age.
Are small heart attacks the precursor to big ones?
Yes, and a small or silent heart attack can lead to a bigger heart attack. If an attack is not treated, the survival rate can decrease.
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Source Link:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21630-silent-heart-attack
