{"id":23204,"date":"2025-02-19T11:07:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T09:07:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/?p=23204"},"modified":"2025-02-19T11:07:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T09:07:44","slug":"5-silent-heart-attack-symptoms-you-shouldnt-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/joburg-south\/blog\/2025\/02\/19\/5-silent-heart-attack-symptoms-you-shouldnt-ignore\/","title":{"rendered":"5 silent heart attack symptoms you shouldn\u2019t ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"

Affinity\u00a0Health<\/a>,\u00a0a leading provider of high-quality\u00a0health coverage, explores five silent heart attack<\/a> signs you shouldn\u2019t ignore.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When we think of a heart attack, we usually imagine intense chest pain and a rush to the hospital. But not all heart attacks are that obvious.<\/p>\n

\u201cA silent heart attack is a heart attack that occurs with mild or no noticeable symptoms,\u201d says Murray Hewlett, CEO of\u00a0Affinity\u00a0Health.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccording to Medical News Today<\/a>, a person who has had a silent heart attack has an estimated 35% higher risk of heart failure than a person without a history of heart attacks. People in their early 50s or younger have an even greater risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

To help protect your heart and health, here are five silent heart attack signs you shouldn\u2019t ignore.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Unexplained Fatigue<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Feeling unusually tired, even after a good night\u2019s sleep, might seem like a regular part of a busy life, but it could be a warning sign of a silent heart attack, especially in women. This happens when a blockage in the heart limits its ability to pump blood effectively, forcing your body to redirect blood flow to vital organs and leaving you feeling persistently drained.<\/p>\n

    Watch for fatigue that doesn\u2019t improve with sleep, trouble completing everyday tasks such as climbing stairs or shopping, and a sudden drop in energy levels.<\/p>\n

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      Mild Discomfort in the Chest or Upper Body<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      While sharp chest pain is a well-known sign of a classic heart attack<\/a>, silent heart attacks often show up as milder discomfort. This could feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or even indigestion. These subtle symptoms are caused by a partial blockage in the coronary arteries, which reduces blood flow to the heart and leads to discomfort rather than intense pain.<\/p>\n

      Pay attention to signs such as tightness in the chest, back, shoulders, or arms, discomfort that comes and goes, or a persistent heartburn-like sensation that doesn\u2019t improve with antacids\u2014these could all point to a silent heart attack.<\/p>\n

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        Shortness of Breath<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Are you struggling to catch your breath during activities that used to feel easy? Shortness of breath can be a warning sign of a silent heart attack, especially if there\u2019s no apparent cause, like exercise or a respiratory issue. This happens when your heart isn\u2019t pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to the body, leaving you feeling breathless\u2014even during light activities or at rest.<\/p>\n

        Be aware of breathlessness that worsens over time, trouble breathing while lying down, or a tight feeling in the chest or throat.<\/p>\n

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          Nausea, Sweating, or Dizziness<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Symptoms such as nausea, cold sweats, and dizziness are often mistaken for a stomach bug, anxiety, or dehydration, but they can also be signs of a silent heart attack. A heart attack can activate the autonomic nervous system, causing nausea and sweating, while reduced blood flow to the brain can lead to dizziness or feeling lightheaded.<\/p>\n

          Be on the lookout for nausea unrelated to food or illness, cold sweats that happen without physical effort, and feeling faint, especially when standing up.<\/p>\n

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            Jaw, Neck, or Arm Pain<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Pain in areas including the jaw, neck, or left arm is a common heart attack symptom, but it\u2019s often overlooked when it\u2019s mild or comes and goes. This happens because nerve pathways can cause pain to radiate from the heart to other parts of the body, a phenomenon known as referred pain, making it harder to pinpoint the source.<\/p>\n

            Watch for pain that spreads to the left arm or shoulder, a dull ache or pressure in the jaw or neck, or discomfort that worsens with activity but eases with rest.<\/p>\n

            Why Silent Heart Attacks Are Dangerous<\/strong><\/h4>\n

            Silent heart attacks are often dismissed, as the symptoms are subtle or mistaken for less severe conditions. Unfortunately, ignoring these signs can lead to severe complications, including:<\/p>\n