How can I recognize a silent heart attack myself?
It is difficult to detect a silent heart attack yourself. Mainly, a silent heart attack can be recognized by the symptoms present. However, in the acute situation it is very difficult to recognize that a heart attack has just begun.
The most characteristic symptom of a “normal” heart attack, the sudden onset of stabbing chest pain, is not present in a silent heart attack. However, sudden breathlessness, as well as dizziness or fainting spells, can be indications of a silent heart attack. Less noticeable symptoms may also indicate the occurrence of a silent heart attack. These include signs such as nausea and vomiting, as well as a sudden outbreak of sweating. Typically, however, mute heart attacks cause no symptoms or only very unspecific symptoms, so that many of them are not recognized by the patient himself and only become noticeable much later during routine check-ups.
Therapy of a silent heart attack
The treatment of a silent myocardial infarction in the acute situation initially consists of oxygen administration and elevation of the upper body. In addition, nitrates are given under the tongue or directly into the vein. These dilate the blood vessels and thus lead to better blood circulation of the heart muscle.
Subsequently, blood-thinning agents such as aspirin or heparin should be given. If necessary, beta-blockers can also be administered. Furthermore, immediate transport to a hospital, where heart catheters can be performed, is necessary.
In a cardiac catheter, a thin wire is advanced through a vessel on the arm or in the groin to the heart. Once it reaches the heart, contrast medium is administered into the coronary arteries via the catheter. This contrast medium can be made visible on an image, for example, by X-ray.
The distribution of the contrast medium in the coronary arteries allows narrowed areas to be detected. If necessary, these are treated with a stent. A stent is a thin, round wire mesh that is inserted into the vessel and keeps it open.A bypass operation can also secure the blood supply to the heart muscle.
In this operation, an additional vessel is sutured to the coronary arteries. This bypasses the occluded area and thus brings blood with nutrients to the areas behind it. Other pages where you can find more information on these topics Therapy of a heart attack, implantation of a stent after a heart attack
