Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsComplicationsRisk FactorsSeeking Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Complications
Risk Factors
Seeking Treatment
Asilentor “mini” heart attack occurs without the classic symptoms of chest pain or pressure, sudden shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating.Research estimates that between 20% and 50% of all heart attacks are silent heart attacks.Subtle and unexplained symptoms such as fatigue, general discomfort, indigestion, and chest pain may indicate this condition and warrant a 911 call.This article describes various mini heart attack symptoms and offers guidance for when to seek medical attention.FG Trade / Getty ImagesSubtle Mini Heart Attack Symptoms: How to TellA silent heart attack often occurs without typicalheart attack symptoms. Often, the symptoms of a silent heart attack are mild and brief, so they are confused for those ofanother problemor ignored.Seek urgent medical evaluation if you experience any of the followingsymptoms:General physical discomfortIndigestionNausea or dizzinessSudden light sweatingFlu-like symptomsWeakness or fatigue you might otherwise attribute to stress or overexertionDiscomfort in the center of the chest, arms, back, neck, or jaw, which might mimic the feeling of a pulled muscleLike a heart attack, a mini heart attack disrupts blood flow and causes scarring and damage to the heart, which is why you should take these symptoms seriously.The only way to know for sure that you’re experiencing a mini heart attack is to go to the hospital fortesting and diagnosis.Different Types of Heart AttacksThere are different classifications of chest pain related to heart attacks: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and angina:STEMI: ST-elevation refers to changes in the heart’s electrical conduction as noted on an electrocardiogram (EKG). A STEMI occurs when one or more heart arteries are blocked.NSTEMI: An NSTEMI occurs when one or more of the heart’s arteries are partially blocked, causing a significant reduction in blood flow.Angina: There are two types of angina: stable and unstable. Stable angina occurs when the heart’s muscle requires more oxygen, such as during stress or physical activity. Unstable angina occurs at rest, even when sleeping, and can lead to a heart attack. If you experience chest pain at rest, you should seek emergency medical attention.Complications From Untreated Mini Heart Attack SymptomsA heart attack, whether silent or not, can damage the heart. Other silent heart attackcomplicationscan include:Scarring of the heart musclesIncreased risk of a more severe heart attackAs much as three times higher risk of dying from coronary artery diseaseUnderstanding Your RiskThe risk factors for a mini heart attack mimic risk factors for cardiovascular (heart) disease in general. Certain health conditions, behaviors, family history, and advanced age can all contribute to your risk.Health conditions: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesityBehaviors: Eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats, not exercising enough, consuming too much alcohol, and using tobaccoFamily history: Certain genetics can predispose you to heart disease; lifestyle choices passed down through generations (e.g., diet patterns, tobacco use, etc.) can also contribute to heart disease riskAdvanced age: Heart disease risk increases with ageUnderstanding your risk factors can help you to be more in tune with your body and recognize the symptoms of a mini heart attack that might otherwise go unnoticed.Call 911 or Go to a HospitalIf you have risk factors and experience any of the symptoms of a silent heart attack, seeing a healthcare provider as quickly as possible is vital.The sooner you seek emergency medical care, the faster medicaltreatmentcan begin, minimizing damage to the heart. In these situations, calling 911 can quickly bring qualified healthcare providers to you to initiate medical treatment immediately.SummaryA silent, or “mini,” heart attack is a heart attack that shows minimal symptoms or no recognizable symptoms at all. Silent heart attacks can affect the heart in the same way a “regular” heart attack can, so seeking immediate medical attention to minimize heart damage is essential. If you have risk factors for a heart attack and experience any of the unexplained symptoms discussed, call 911 for emergent medical care to reduce any potential damage to the heart.
Asilentor “mini” heart attack occurs without the classic symptoms of chest pain or pressure, sudden shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating.Research estimates that between 20% and 50% of all heart attacks are silent heart attacks.Subtle and unexplained symptoms such as fatigue, general discomfort, indigestion, and chest pain may indicate this condition and warrant a 911 call.
This article describes various mini heart attack symptoms and offers guidance for when to seek medical attention.
FG Trade / Getty Images
Subtle Mini Heart Attack Symptoms: How to Tell
A silent heart attack often occurs without typicalheart attack symptoms. Often, the symptoms of a silent heart attack are mild and brief, so they are confused for those ofanother problemor ignored.Seek urgent medical evaluation if you experience any of the followingsymptoms:
Like a heart attack, a mini heart attack disrupts blood flow and causes scarring and damage to the heart, which is why you should take these symptoms seriously.The only way to know for sure that you’re experiencing a mini heart attack is to go to the hospital fortesting and diagnosis.
Different Types of Heart AttacksThere are different classifications of chest pain related to heart attacks: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and angina:STEMI: ST-elevation refers to changes in the heart’s electrical conduction as noted on an electrocardiogram (EKG). A STEMI occurs when one or more heart arteries are blocked.NSTEMI: An NSTEMI occurs when one or more of the heart’s arteries are partially blocked, causing a significant reduction in blood flow.Angina: There are two types of angina: stable and unstable. Stable angina occurs when the heart’s muscle requires more oxygen, such as during stress or physical activity. Unstable angina occurs at rest, even when sleeping, and can lead to a heart attack. If you experience chest pain at rest, you should seek emergency medical attention.
Different Types of Heart Attacks
There are different classifications of chest pain related to heart attacks: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and angina:STEMI: ST-elevation refers to changes in the heart’s electrical conduction as noted on an electrocardiogram (EKG). A STEMI occurs when one or more heart arteries are blocked.NSTEMI: An NSTEMI occurs when one or more of the heart’s arteries are partially blocked, causing a significant reduction in blood flow.Angina: There are two types of angina: stable and unstable. Stable angina occurs when the heart’s muscle requires more oxygen, such as during stress or physical activity. Unstable angina occurs at rest, even when sleeping, and can lead to a heart attack. If you experience chest pain at rest, you should seek emergency medical attention.
There are different classifications of chest pain related to heart attacks: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and angina:
Complications From Untreated Mini Heart Attack Symptoms
A heart attack, whether silent or not, can damage the heart. Other silent heart attackcomplicationscan include:
Understanding Your Risk
The risk factors for a mini heart attack mimic risk factors for cardiovascular (heart) disease in general. Certain health conditions, behaviors, family history, and advanced age can all contribute to your risk.
Understanding your risk factors can help you to be more in tune with your body and recognize the symptoms of a mini heart attack that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Call 911 or Go to a Hospital
If you have risk factors and experience any of the symptoms of a silent heart attack, seeing a healthcare provider as quickly as possible is vital.The sooner you seek emergency medical care, the faster medicaltreatmentcan begin, minimizing damage to the heart. In these situations, calling 911 can quickly bring qualified healthcare providers to you to initiate medical treatment immediately.
Summary
A silent, or “mini,” heart attack is a heart attack that shows minimal symptoms or no recognizable symptoms at all. Silent heart attacks can affect the heart in the same way a “regular” heart attack can, so seeking immediate medical attention to minimize heart damage is essential. If you have risk factors for a heart attack and experience any of the unexplained symptoms discussed, call 911 for emergent medical care to reduce any potential damage to the heart.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.The dangers of ‘silent’ heart attacks.Fanaroff AC, Rymer JA, Goldstein SA, et al.Does this patient with chest pain have acute coronary syndrome? The rational clinical examination systematic review.JAMA.2015;314(18):1955–1965. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.12735Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart attack symptoms, risk, and recovery.American Heart Association.What is a silent heart attack?American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart disease risk factors.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.The dangers of ‘silent’ heart attacks.Fanaroff AC, Rymer JA, Goldstein SA, et al.Does this patient with chest pain have acute coronary syndrome? The rational clinical examination systematic review.JAMA.2015;314(18):1955–1965. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.12735Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart attack symptoms, risk, and recovery.American Heart Association.What is a silent heart attack?American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart disease risk factors.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health Publishing.The dangers of ‘silent’ heart attacks.Fanaroff AC, Rymer JA, Goldstein SA, et al.Does this patient with chest pain have acute coronary syndrome? The rational clinical examination systematic review.JAMA.2015;314(18):1955–1965. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.12735Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart attack symptoms, risk, and recovery.American Heart Association.What is a silent heart attack?American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart disease risk factors.
Harvard Health Publishing.The dangers of ‘silent’ heart attacks.
Fanaroff AC, Rymer JA, Goldstein SA, et al.Does this patient with chest pain have acute coronary syndrome? The rational clinical examination systematic review.JAMA.2015;314(18):1955–1965. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.12735
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart attack symptoms, risk, and recovery.
American Heart Association.What is a silent heart attack?
American Heart Association.What is a heart attack?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart disease risk factors.
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