Half of heart attacks might be 'silent'

As many as half of all heart attacks may be "silent" -- without the typical crushing chest pain, shortness of breath and cold sweats, new study findings suggest.
Among nearly 9,500 Americans included in the study, 45 percent of all heart attacks were silent, investigators found. And, the study authors said, these silent heart attacks triple the odds of dying from heart disease. "Silent heart attacks are almost as common as heart attacks with symptoms and just as bad," said senior study author Dr. Elsayed Soliman. He is director of the epidemiological cardiology research center at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Heart attacks reduce or stop blood flow to the heart muscle. Because silent heart attacks often go undiagnosed, people don't get the medical care needed to prevent another heart attack, or even death, the study authors explained.
Symptoms of a silent heart attack are so mild they're barely noticed, if at all, Soliman said. Most are discovered accidentally, with damage showing up on an electrocardiogram (EKG) given during a regular exam or before surgery, he said.
According to Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of women's heart health at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, "When heart attacks are silent, people are less likely to get treatment. And that's been a problem with women. Symptoms are sometimes more subtle than the crushing chest pain."
Although silent heart attacks are more common among men, they are deadlier for women and perhaps black people, the study findings indicated.
    HealthDay

Half of heart attacks might be silent

As many as half of all heart attacks may be silent -- without the typical crushing chest pain, shortness of breath and cold sweats, new study findings suggest. Among nearly 9,500 Americans included in the study, 45 percent of all heart attacks were silent, investigators found. And, the study authors said, these silent heart attacks triple the odds of dying from heart disease. Silent heart attacks are almost as common as heart attacks with symptoms and just as bad, said senior study author Dr. Elsayed Soliman. He is director of the epidemiological cardiology research center at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. Heart attacks reduce or stop blood flow to the heart muscle. Because silent heart attacks often go undiagnosed, people dont get the medical care needed to prevent another heart attack, or even death, the study authors explained. Symptoms of a silent heart attack are so mild theyre barely noticed, if at all, Soliman said. Most are discovered accidentally, with damage showing up on an electrocardiogram (EKG) given during a regular exam or before surgery, he said. According to Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of womens heart health at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, When heart attacks are silent, people are less likely to get treatment. And thats been a problem with women. Symptoms are sometimes more subtle than the crushing chest pain. Although silent heart attacks are more common among men, they are deadlier for women and perhaps black people, the study findings indicated. HealthDay