Heart Problems That Don’t Have Symptoms

A healthy heart is essential for great overall health, and not everyone realizes that several heart conditions don’t come with a clear set of symptoms. That can leave you at risk of serious harm, which is why the team at Heart and Vascular Care in Plano, Texas, is so happy to shed some light on these matters. 

Not all heart attacks come with dramatic symptoms

When most people think of a heart attack, they envision someone clutching at their chest while they try desperately to catch their breath. While this can sometimes be the way a heart attack occurs, it’s also possible to experience what’s known as a “silent” heart attack. 

Heart attacks occur when your heart isn’t getting enough blood or oxygen to function correctly. Often caused by a blood clot in the heart, they can also occur due to an injury to your coronary artery or a coronary artery spasm. 

Some of the signs of a silent heart attack include fatigue, indigestion, or flu-like symptoms. While a silent heart attack might not be as scary as one that brings crushing chest pain and shortness of breath, they can cause the same degree of damage to your heart and overall health. 

Myocardial ischemia can worsen gradually

Myocardial ischemia is a condition that reduces blood flow to your heart, which also deprives your heart of oxygen. This usually happens because of blockages in the heart’s arteries. If a piece of the plaque that’s accumulated on your arterial walls breaks free, it can cause a heart attack. 

You can have advanced myocardial ischemia without experiencing apparent symptoms. You might notice pain or discomfort in your neck, arms, or shoulders. Sweating, fatigue, and nausea or vomiting are also symptoms. 

Many people don’t associate these changes with heart health. You might think you’re coming down with a cold or pushed a bit too hard at work or when exercising, when in reality, your body is trying to tell you that your heart isn’t getting what it needs to thrive. 

Congestive heart failure can be subtle at first

Congestive heart failure develops when your heart is still working, but isn’t able to pump blood throughout your body. That means that your overall blood flow is slower than usual, and your heart is working harder than normal to try to keep up. 

When your heart isn’t pumping normally, your body makes changes to try to compensate. Certain hormones trigger your blood vessels to narrow and your kidneys to retain more water. Chambers in your heart can stretch to accommodate more blood. Eventually, your heart won’t be able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands, and you’ll have heart failure. 

The signs of congestive heart failure are similar to those of the other issues mentioned above. You might feel more tired than usual, and might experience more coughing or wheezing than usual. Swelling in your belly, ankles, or legs can also develop. 

How do I know where my heart health stands?

Just because certain heart conditions don’t cause apparent symptoms doesn’t mean you have to be in the dark about your heart health. Working with your primary care provider to get routine screenings is a great way to track your heart health. 

You can also rely on the team at Heart and Vascular Care for outstanding diagnostic and treatment services. If you’re concerned about your heart health, we can not only screen for numerous issues, but also advise you on how to reduce your risk of developing heart problems in the future. When you’re ready to begin, give us a quick call or book your visit online.