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Silent heart attacks, often without obvious symptoms, pose an insidious health risk. This article examines the subtle signs of a silent heart attack and suggests ways to reduce the associated risks.
Understanding Silent Heart Attacks
Contrary to dramatic portrayals, a silent heart attack is characterized by barely noticeable or no symptoms at all. These events, also known as silent myocardial ischemia, can go unnoticed because they are not accompanied by classic heart attack symptoms. About 45% of heart attacks are silent, with women at higher risk.
Trigger:
Silent heart attacks are usually caused by atherosclerosis, a disease that causes cholesterol plaque to build up in the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. Risk factors include smoking, a high-salt diet, stress, type 2 diabetes, a family history of heart disease, preeclampsia, and factors related to age and gender.
Recognizing the Signs
Persistent Flu-Like Symptoms: Persistent flu-like symptoms may indicate a silent heart attack.
To learn more, read the next page >>
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