Silent Heart Attacks in Diabetics

You know the signs of a classic heart attack: television and film have done an excellent job of portraying people experiencing chest pain and pressure, clutching their  left arm, and gasping for breath as they collapse.

However, few people know about the possibility of “silent heart attacks,” and how certain groups of people (like diabetics and women) are at increased risk for these severe cardiovascular events.

At West Houston Heart Center in Houston, Texas, Dr. Humayun Naqvi and his team offer preventative cardiology as well as education to improve your awareness of silent heart attacks and what to do if you suspect you’re experiencing one.

Silent heart attacks: an overview

There are an estimated 805,000 heart attacks each year in the US, and a projected 170,000 of these are silent heart attacks, medically known as silent myocardial infarctions (SMIs).

SMIs are heart attacks that occur without the classic symptoms like sudden, intense chest pain, shortness of breath, and/or discomfort in the left shoulder or arm. Most individuals having an SMI instead report atypical symptoms like:

• Fatigue
• Tightness in the chest or upper back
• Pain in the jaw, arms, or upper back
• Indigestion (heartburn)
• Flu-like symptoms

Many people having an SMI don’t have any symptoms at all. You could have an SMI and not know it, only finding out later that your heart has sustained damage.   

SMIs and diabetes

Diabetes often results in uncontrolled blood sugar levels for prolonged periods of time. This can damage your nerves and your blood vessels, leading to poor circulation and vascular disease. Diabetics are at higher risk for:

Atherosclerosis

Diabetes can prompt or speed up the development of atherosclerosis. Fatty deposits build up inside your arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart. This increases the likelihood of many types of cardiovascular events, including silent heart attacks.  

Autonomic neuropathy

Over time, diabetes often results in damage to the nerves that control the heart. This can cause a condition known as diabetic autonomic neuropathy, which can mask or alter the typical symptoms of a heart attack.

Microvascular disease

Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels that supply the heart, a condition known as microvascular disease. Microvascular disease is often the underlying cause of diabetic cardiomyopathy, which is a relatively rare but potentially fatal cause of progressive heart disease.

Your compromised blood vessels might not show any typical signs of blockage or damage, but they prime you for a silent heart attack.

Protecting yourself against silent heart attacks

If you have diabetes, especially if you’re a woman, regular heart check-ups with a preventative cardiologist like Dr. Naqvi are recommended. We can screen you for early signs of heart disease and identify risk factors for silent heart attacks.

A well-balanced diet, regular physical activity, and weight management can help you reduce diabetic symptoms and other factors that increase your risk of a silent heart attack. You should also keep track of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in addition to your blood glucose numbers.   

Seek emergency medical help immediately if you think you may be having a silent heart attack. If possible, take someone with you who knows about your health to help you advocate for yourself, and push back against assumptions that you’re “just having an anxiety attack.”

Are you at risk for a silent heart attack? Schedule an appointment at West Houston Heart Center. Call us at 832-400-3957, or request an appointment online.