Silent Heart Attack : Incidents of heart attack are now happening suddenly. Every day someone is dying due to heart attack. Symptoms like sudden chest pain, sweating and shortness of breath are seen in it. But these days some heart attacks are also coming without any obvious symptoms. This is called silent heart attack and it can be as fatal as a normal heart attack.

The shocking thing is that it can affect even a fit and active person of any age. Two recent incidents have shocked everyone. Let us know from these two cases what is a silent heart attack, how dangerous it is and how to avoid it...

Case 1- Yogacharya Dr. Pawan Singhal, who taught yoga to people to stay fit and healthy, died at the age of 54. Dr. Singhal, a resident of Ashoknagar in Madhya Pradesh, was a senior surgeon in the Animal Husbandry Department. He woke up at 1 am like every day, took a bath, did yoga for one and a half hours after praying. After this, he also ran for 3 kilometers to go to the temple, after this he was going to teach yoga in his car, when he got a silent heart attack on the way and fell on the seat. He was taken to the hospital but by then he had died. 

Case 2 - Former Bangladesh cricket captain Tamim Iqbal was playing a match on Monday when he suddenly suffered a heart attack. This match was being played between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Shinepukur Cricket Club in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. Suddenly Tamim felt severe pain in his chest. He was taken to the hospital. Where he was examined and ECG was done. He was feeling uncomfortable, wanted to go back to Dhaka. When he was returning from the hospital to the ground in an ambulance, he again felt chest pain. He was again taken to the hospital and it was found that he had a major heart attack. At present, his condition is fine and he is under observation in the hospital. Both these incidents have become a matter of debate whether even a fit person is at risk of silent heart attack.

What is a silent heart attack?

A silent heart attack is a heart attack in which symptoms of a heart attack such as chest pain, sweating or shortness of breath are not visible. Often, people ignore it as simple fatigue, indigestion or mild pain, but deep inside it can cause serious damage to the heart. In many cases, people do not even know that they had a heart attack until they get an ECG or any other test done.

How a silent heart attack silently makes a person its victim

1. Unlike a normal heart attack, there is no acute pain or discomfort, due to which a person takes it lightly.

2. Mild heartburn, fatigue or back pain are often ignored as gas or muscle problems.

3. This problem is increasing due to lifestyle like stress, unhealthy diet, more sitting and less exercise.

4. Gradually the blockage in the coronary artery increases, which reduces blood flow and damages the heart muscles.

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Who is more at risk

Diabetes patients

Those with high blood pressure

those who drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes

Being under stress and depression

Routine lifestyle changes such as less sleep, poor diet and lack of physical activity

How to recognize the signs of a silent heart attack

Mild but recurring chest pain or discomfort

mild pain in the back, neck, jaw, or arm

mild weakness, lightheadedness, or dizziness

Extreme fatigue for no apparent reason

sweating or slight shortness of breath

How to protect yourself?

Get regular health checkups done, especially if there is a family history of heart disease.

Avoid high fat and processed food, eat green vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Walk, do yoga or exercise for 30 minutes daily.

Reduce stress with meditation and relaxation techniques

Control blood pressure and sugar

Avoid smoking and alcohol

Disclaimer: Some of the information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, please consult the concerned expert.