The world today faces far more heart-related diseases than we realise. While many of us think that heart diseases present as crushing chest pain, a sudden collapse, or a rush to the emergency room. It is more alarming to know that some heart attacks don’t even come with warning signs at all; they are called silent heart attacks that often slip under the radar and can be the most dangerous of all. Understanding the hidden signs of a heart attack is the key to protecting your heart health and catching problems before they turn serious.
Newer research points towards hidden factors, such as stress, and even invisible microplastics in our environment can be the emerging contributors to these hidden heart events.
What Is A Silent Heart Attack?
A silent heart attack is when a person feels little to no symptoms, with lasting damage occurring to the heart muscles. [1] Unlike a typical heart attack that comes with either breathlessness or chest pain, a silent heart attack often goes unnoticed and gets discovered much later, after a visible heart attack or during a routine check-up.
People with diabetes, women, and older adults are particularly vulnerable to silent heart attacks. If you have risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, regular health check-ups become even more essential. Awareness and early detection are your best defences against these hidden heart attack signs.
Book a comprehensive Heart Health Package now. Because when it comes to your heart, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Symptoms Of A Silent Heart Attack
The symptoms of a silent heart attack are different from those of a typical heart attack. These include:
– A muscle pull in your upper back or chest
– A light pinch in your shoulder, jaw, or arms
– Persistent indigestion
– Constant fatigue and tiredness
Silent Risk Factors: The Role of Stress and Microplastics In Heart Health
Pollution, stress, and unseen factors like microplastics silently strain the heart, raising the risk of silent heart attacks without the obvious warning signs.
Stress
Stress may feel like just a mental burden, but it also harms your body in the long run. Intense stress keeps the body filled with hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can spike blood sugar, raise blood pressure, and increase inflammation. Over time, this can damage the blood vessels, making them more prone to clots and blockages. It also contributes to unhealthy coping habits like smoking, overeating, or lack of sleep, all of which further burden the heart. Practices like yoga or deep breathing can ease some of the pressure off your heart.
Microplastics
Plastics are everywhere – from bottled water to food packaging – and now, recently, scientists are discovering that tiny fragments of plastic called microplastics are making their way into the human body and even into the bloodstream. These particles can trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are known to contribute to plaque buildup in arteries and enhance the risk of heart attacks [2]. Although research is still emerging, early findings suggest that long-term exposure to microplastics can worsen the heart’s existing condition or make it more vulnerable to a silent heart attack.
Protect Your Heart From Hidden Risks
Heart health is not just about eating well or going for a jog – it is about being aware of the hidden signs of a heart attack and acting upon them. Your heart works tirelessly for you every day. It is now time for you to return the favour by protecting it – not just from the obvious risks but from the hidden ones too.
At Tata 1mg, we bring you practical tips on diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, early warning signs, and preventive care that can truly make a difference in keeping your heart strong. Explore the page and take a pledge to protect your heart health today.
Recommended Reads:
Why Are Indians at a Higher Risk of Heart Disease?
The 3-3-3 Japanese Walking Routine For A Stronger Heart
FAQs
Q. Can a person feel a silent heart attack?
Yes, a person can feel a silent heart attack, but the symptoms are often so mild or vague that they go unnoticed.
Q. Can stress cause a heart attack?
Yes, stress can increase the risk of a heart attack both directly and indirectly. It can cause blood pressure to rise or inflammation that ultimately causes damage to the blood vessels and puts your heart at risk of a heart attack.
Q. How to prevent a heart attack before it happens?
You can lower the risk of a heart attack by eating well, managing stress, exercising, limiting alcohol, restricting smoking, and having regular check-ups if you have diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
References
1. Qureshi WT, Zhang ZM, Chang PP, et al. Silent myocardial infarction and long-term risk of heart failure. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2018;71(1):1-8. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.10.071
2. Yang Y, Zhang F, Jiang Z, et al. Microplastics are associated with elevated atherosclerotic risk and increased vascular complexity in acute coronary syndrome patients. Particle and Fibre Toxicology. 2024;21(1). doi:10.1186/s12989-024-00596-4
(The article is written by Sneha Jajoo, Intern, Clinical Health & Content, and is reviewed by Dr.Subita Alagh, Assistant Team Lead, Disease Content.)