Feb 18, 2020
Is it Possible to Have a Heart Attack Without Knowing It?
Crisp Living.
There are certain symptoms that are typical of heart attacks which would alert you to the fact that you are likely experiencing one. These include chest pain and discomfort, trouble breathing, and dizziness and nausea. However, it is actually possible to have a heart attack without experiencing these symptoms.
These “silent” heart attacks can be just as dangerous as a normal heart attack, so it is important to know how you can identify a possible heart attack, even if you aren’t experiencing the well-known heart attack symptoms.
Risk
Knowing your risk for heart disease and heart attack can help ensure that you take care of your health and notice any unusual symptoms. Your doctor can help you determine how high your risk of heart disease is and what you can do to prevent any heart problems.
- Statistically, women are at a higher risk of having a heart attack than men are. It is a good idea to check whether heart problems and heart attacks run in your family. Let your doctor know if you have a family history of heart disease.
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol can both lead to having a heart attack. These things can be kept under control by eating a healthy diet and regularly exercising. But your doctor may also prescribe medicine to help lower your blood pressure or cholesterol.
- People who are smokers or overweight are also usually at a higher risk of having a heart attack than those who don’t smoke and are at a healthy weight. Talk to your doctor about how to quit smoking and what lifestyle changes you can make to lose weight.
Don’t put off getting medical attention
If you begin experiencing any unusual symptoms, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Just because you may not be experiencing all of the usual heart attack symptoms, doesn’t mean you aren’t having a heart attack. Don’t brush off anything unusual – it is best to seek medical attention just to be safe.
Schedule regular doctor’s appointments
It is also a good idea to visit your primary care physician regularly. Keep them updated with any symptoms or heart disease cases in your family. Your doctor will be able to assess your risk for heart disease and help you prevent a heart attack.
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