There are five signs you may be having a heart attack without realising

Experts have issued a warning to those who may be having a heart attack without realising it - sometimes known as a ‘silent heart attack’.

A ‘silent heart attack’ has “no symptoms, mild symptoms or symptoms people don’t connect to a heart attack,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Their research estimates that 22% to 60% of all heart attacks are silent, and they may be more common in women or people with diabetes.

So what causes a ‘silent heart attack’?

The Cleveland Clinic reports that “coronary artery disease” usually is the cause. 

Plaque containing cholesterol can build up in your coronary arteries, which can limit the blood supply to muscles:

“When a blood clot forms on the plaque, it can keep oxygen-rich blood from getting through at all.”

“Without quick treatment to restore blood flow, the heart muscle can die.”

According to Go Red for Women, risk factors of silent heart attacks in women can be:

• Diabetes 
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Family history of heart disease
• Obesity
• Increasing age

A silent heart attack can almost be more dangerous. Since you may not be aware of the symptoms, as it can leave heart “scarring and damage”, increasing the risk of other heart problems:

“Since the person didn’t know to seek treatment, blood flow to the heart might not have been restored quickly, and no medications were administered, so the impact could be greater.”

Symptoms

The Cleveland Clinic advises that symptoms of a silent heart attack can feel like:

• The flu
• A sore muscle in your chest or upper back
• An ache in your jaw, arms or upper back
• Feeling very tired
• Indigestion

It’s important to know the signs of a silent heart attack, as there is a gender bias in the medical field.

The first-ever female CPR dummy was invented in 2019. That’s only six years ago. 

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among women in Ireland, with 1 in 4 women dying from cardiovascular disease.

Despite these alarming statistics, women are less informed about the risks and symptoms compared to men, often waiting an average of 37 minutes longer to seek medical help during heart attacks.

Croí, the Heart & Stroke Charity in Ireland, and Global Heart Hub (GHH) have urged women in Ireland to become aware of the signs.

Their survey found that only 1 in 2 were aware that the critical warning signs in women may differ from those in men.

Preventing a ‘silent heart attack’

To prevent a silent heart attack, Go Red for Women says:

• Know your risk factors.
• Be aware of your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.  
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid smoking.  
• Keep your blood sugars in control if you’re diabetic. 
• Listen to your body. If something isn’t right, talk to a health care professional.

If you are experiencing these symptoms and believe you are having a heart attack, please call 112 or 999 to contact the emergency services.