For many people, making an appointment to see the GP is something that we delay for as long as humanly possible.
However, according to medical experts, there is a certain set of rather mundane symptoms that practitioners are advising you not to ignore.
Because of this, medics have recently divulged some of the little-known signs of a 'silent heart attack' - a medical emergency that can sometimes prove fatal in worst-case situations.
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By a silent heart attack, we mean scenarios whereby a patient has undergone a life-threatening cardiac arrest without even being aware.
In the majority of these cases, the patient has avoided some of the conventional and well-known symptoms of the potentially deadly condition - these include the likes of chest pains, stomach pain and shortness of breath.
Instead, women are more likely to suffer very different and often longer-term symptoms which, when investigated by a doctor - often point to a heart attack having occurred.
Of course, an unbeknownst heart attack is not any less deadly than one which sees millions of patients rushed to hospital every year.
They're still both caused by blockages of the blood flow to a section of the heart, which, in turn, causes scarring and damage to the heart muscle.
However, in cases of a 'silent heart attack', the flow of blood is caused by a build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries.
“The longer your heart doesn’t have blood flow, the more damage that occurs,” writes Penn Medicine.
“Because silent heart attacks may go unnoticed, they can cause a significant amount of damage. And without treatment, they can be deadly."
While studies into these types of heart attacks differ, it’s been concluded that they are more commonly experienced by women than men.
When it comes to the symptoms, there are four main silent signs of a heart attack, as per the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
Mild chest pains or discomfort
The first sign of a ‘silent heart attack’ is experiencing mild pain or discomfort in the centre of your chest.
The institution writes that you may begin to feel a slight pressure building before it dissolves and comes back again later.
As this symptom is often associated with a less serious health issues such as heartburn, it’s advised you call a physician if it’s one you rarely experience.
Discomfort in other areas of your body
When suffering from a ‘silent heart attack’, your chest isn’t the only place you may feel pain.
According to Penn Medicine, you’re likely to experience discomfort in your arms, back, jaw, stomach and neck.
Nausea and cold sweats
Sudden flu-like symptoms such as overwhelming nausea, vomiting and sweating can often indicate that you are suffering from a ‘silent heart attack’.
The institute writes that if you’re suspicious of these flu-like symptoms then you should get checked out by a medic ASAP as they could be much more serious than you first expect.
Dizziness and loss of breath
More symptoms of a ‘silent heart attack’ include dizziness, a lightheaded feeling and everyday tasks proving difficult.
While these issues are present in both male and female heart attack sufferers, it’s more likely that the latter will experience shortness of breath.
It is also known that shortness of breath can occur with or without chest pain, so it’s worth keeping an eye on your health.
Ella Scott