Silent heart attack symptoms: Early warning signs you may miss
Did you know? People can have a heart attack and not even know it happened. It is called a silent heart attack or a silent myocardial infarction (SMI), which is said to account for nearly 50% to 80% of all heart attacks. A heart attack is termed as 'silent' when it occurs with mild to no symptoms or signs that can easily be ignored or mistaken for other illnesses. This takes place when your heart does not receive sufficient oxygen. In light of a plaque formation in your arteries or other damage caused due to high blood pressure, the blood flow can be partly or completely cut off, leading to a heart attack. Since silent heart attacks can go unnoticed, there could be more damage than you can imagine, which is why it is important to note all the early signs of a heart attack, so as to receive the necessary treatments. You may have chest pain for several reasons. However, chest pain and discomfort can be a warning sign of heart attack. According to the US Centers for Disease Cont