As silent heart attacks become increasingly prevalent, it is crucial to understand the underlying reasons, recognize the subtle symptoms, and seek appropriate treatment.
Silent Heart attacks are also known as silent myocardial infarctions, which occur without conventional symptoms and could be easily misinterpreted or ignored, like shortness of breath, chest pain, cold sweats, and others. In India, it has become a serious concern due to growing numbers and, henceforth, underscores the need for greater awareness, early detection, and medical intervention. A study by Statista in India states that the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases market is estimated to reach a market volume of INR US $16.51 billion by 2029. This trend strains individuals financially and burdens India’s healthcare system.
Experts emphasise the need to fill this gap, given the growing population and the lack of advanced healthcare facilities. The Government can do this through initiatives that engage with private entities, startups, and companies to build a stronger foundation and health ecosystem in the nation, particularly for CVD Diseases.
Risk Factors Leading To Silent Heart Attacks
- Diets laden with trans fats, high cholesterol, additive sugars, and other unhealthy substances are unhealthy for our bodies. Technology has also exponentially reduced the time spent on daily activities. Some diseases have a genetic predisposition, making individuals more prone to them.
- Diabetes can also be one of the major causes of silent heart attacks, as it damages nerves and blood vessels, often masking symptoms like chest pain. Timely intervention, with regular monitoring and check-ups, can help identify such conditions early. Many people ignore to get done regular check-ups, which can lead to delayed diagnosis. Henceforth, these symptoms go unnoticed and escalate to more serious stages, making treatments challenging. All such factors, including lifestyle choices, diet, and genetic disorders, contribute to silent heart attacks.
Asymptomatic Symptoms
The symptoms are mostly misinterpreted or undiagnosed, so timely medical intervention is crucial. These include persistent fatigue or a sense of heaviness, shortness of breath, cold sweats, mid-chest discomfort that may oscillate in the back, neck, or jaw, nausea, loss of appetite, or even flu-like symptoms. Jaw or back pain, cold sweats, and extreme fatigue are more common in women. For people with diabetes, neuropathy can dull pain, making symptoms even less apparent.
Diagnosis And Treatments
Diagnosis and treatment procedures should be based on the individual case and severity of those who already have a genetic disorder or are at risk of CVDs. People with a medical history, symptoms, or recurring diseases like diabetes, hypertension, etc., should opt for regular health check-ups, including ECGs and blood tests.
