Many heart attack symptoms are well-known, like chest pressure and pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and discomfort in the arm, neck and shoulders. When these symptoms appear, call 911 and get help immediately.
However, not all symptoms of a heart attack are obvious. Silent heart attacks, or heart attacks you have without realizing it, are more common than you might think. A Harvard study found that 45% of all people who have heart attacks have symptoms that are too subtle to recognize as signs of a heart attack.
Knowing this, we want you to be aware of the more subtle signs of a heart attack. You could save your life, or that of a loved one, if you know when to act quickly to get immediate care at an AdventHealth emergency department near you.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 right away to get medical attention immediately.
Know the Signs: Silent Heart Attacks Still Have Symptoms
“Although anyone can have a silent heart attack, women are more likely to experience the condition,” says Dr. Stephanie Cochran, Cardiologist at AdventHealth North Pinellas. “Because women experience less classic and more subtle heart attack — and stroke — symptoms than men, it's easier to overlook, or think that the discomfort is due to something else.”
Because silent heart attacks can happen to anyone at any time, make sure you’re familiar with these symptoms of a silent heart attack:
- Back or jaw pain
- Cold, clammy skin
- Confusion
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea
Alone, each of these symptoms may seem minor. However, you shouldn’t dismiss them — especially if you experience several at once. Even if you’re unsure of your symptoms, it’s worth it to get care to treat or rule out a heart attack. Know where your nearest ER is and get help quickly to stay safe.
“Talking with your doctor about any episodes or symptoms that aren’t normal for you is key to continuing your care,” says Dr. Cochran.
If your physician suspects heart issues, diagnostic tests — such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), stress test and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — could give you answers.
Talking to your doctor about heart attack symptoms is essential to stay healthy. But nothing beats smart prevention for your heart health. And prevention starts with understanding your heart attack risk factors, or factors that make you more likely to experience a heart attack.
Understand Your Heart Attack Risk Factors
The risk factors for a heart attack are the same whether the heart attack is silent or immediately diagnosed. Many factors influence your risk of a heart attack, including:
- Age
- Family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Level of physical activity
- Use of tobacco products
- Weight
While age and family history are uncontrollable, most of these risk factors are within your control. Working with your doctor to assess your current heart health is a great place to start. Your AdventHealth physician can offer screenings to help identify your risk factors for heart disease, including:
- Ankle-brachial index test
- Blood glucose testing
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Body mass index (BMI) measurements
- Fasting lipoprotein profile (cholesterol)
- Postmenopausal screenings
Once you have a clear picture of your heart health, your doctor can help you create a plan to reduce your risk of a heart attack, often through healthy lifestyle changes.
Taking Charge of Your Health to Prevent Heart Attacks
A heart attack — whether silent or immediately diagnosed — can be a wakeup call. Fortunately, you can take charge of your whole-person health and prevent heart attacks. As your first steps, be sure you:
- Know the signs of heart attacks, silent and otherwise
- Know where your nearest ER is, in case you need to get care fast
- Understand your heart attack risk factors
If you’ve had a heart attack in the past, or are ready to prevent them, work with your doctor to create a plan that promotes your whole health. Your plan may include:
- Exercising more often
- Improving your diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
- Regular blood pressure checks
- Techniques to manage stress better
Following a healthier lifestyle can help you greatly reduce your risk of having a heart attack. However, if the unexpected occurs, it’s important to be able to recognize heart attack symptoms and ready to get medical care immediately.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
When you feel concerning symptoms — even if you’re unsure if they’re from a heart attack — it’s best to get care quickly. Don’t disregard even subtle symptoms that may point to a heart condition or could actually be a silent heart attack in progress. Trust your gut. Stop what you’re doing and call 911. It’s always better to be safe, and getting medical care in the first hours after a heart attack is critical to your health, so don’t delay ER care if you suspect a heart attack.
When you're faced with an emergency, time is of the essence. And we’re here 24/7 to provide fast, trusted emergency care. That’s why AdventHealth North Pinellas offers two expert-level emergency rooms — to be the nearest ER when you need us the most. You can find emergency care at AdventHealth North Pinellas and our offsite 24-bed Palm Harbor ER location specifically designed for your whole family.
