Silent Heart Attack !?

[chicolini]

Has anyone else experienced a heart attackp with symptoms at all? My husband had a followup to the24hr Holter he had a while ago for persistent arrythmias. I actually posted the report here at that time. So at the followup he had an ecg and when the physician examined it she told him he had had a "massive" heart attack! Apparently the ecg showed the damage to the heart. This was not seen on the February ecg or the holter, so it must have happened in the past 2 months.She immediately started him on aspirin and highest dose of statin. He is already on bisoprolol for the persistent PVCs although it doesn't work well for that,. A higher dose slows his heart to 30bpm. He's now referred for echocardiogram.

Husband feels well, is 75, slim, normal cholesterol and blood pressure, walks daily, nondrinker nonsmoker, healthy diet, no stress. He does however have a big CVD risk factor in lifelong autoimmune inflammatory rheumatoid disease and l blame that and the medications he needs to take for it, ie methotrexate and biological, for the heart problems. Doctor also mentioned that connection.

We are still trying to get our heads around the heart attack and how you can have a serious even without knowing.

[MummaSoap]

That sounds like a lot to take in! I’m sorry that you and your husband have had this news, it must be very frightening for you both.

I haven’t had any personal experience with this but I wanted to drop in to wish you both well.

Keep us posted with how your husband is getting on.

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[chicolini in reply to MummaSoap]

Thanks so much MummaSoap, you are very kind 😊

[Hidden]

Dear you,

Yes I had a silent heart attack that was so damaging to my heart that I was told that I should not have survived it.

I have no recollection of it at all, not a thing.

I had been feeling 'off' for a little while, sort of mixture of dull pressure and headaches.

So it is possible, mine must have happened in my sleep.

As much as that part was interesting its what came afterwards that allows me to write a reply to you, now that part is a medical marvel, which I believe we all are.

Take care

[chicolini in reply to Hidden]

Wow it must have been a huge shock to you to find that out. And amazing that such a serious thing can occur without knowing. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[CyclingTime]

When the consultant was testing me in A and E he said what you mentioned is quite common and something they always test for

[chicolini in reply to CyclingTime]

I'm amazed just what an ecg can actually show. I had no idea a previous heart attack and damage can show up .

[CyclingTime in reply to chicolini]

It shows up in your blood, I forget the name but someone here will know. Depending on the count of that in your blood can tell how large an issue you have had

[Manhattan1 in reply to CyclingTime]

troponin blood test

[CyclingTime in reply to Manhattan1]

That's the one! Thank you

[Manhattan1 in reply to CyclingTime]

👍

[chicolini in reply to CyclingTime]

Yes and l thought there would be a referral for the cardiac enzymes blood tests but no .

[irishwife93]

Hi chicolini

So sorry to hear about your husbands heart attack. I’m really glad he is okay.

My husband suffered a heart attack during our honeymoon. We did not recognise the symptoms as being a heart attack as they were so mild. He felt hot and dizzy for a bit and that was it! Over the next few days he felt tired and short of breath which we put down to other health conditions (anaemia and asthma) he’d been suffering with. Turns out he had a widow maker and it was a miracle he survived without medical attention until several days later.

A year on I’m still trying to get my head around it, it plays on my mind some days more than others. It’s a very difficult experience to process and I’m sure there’s no right or wrong way, just your own way! And this group will be here to support you through.

[chicolini in reply to irishwife93]

Thanks irishwife, that was really interesting to read. Not a happy memory of your honeymoon but thankfully it didn't make you a widow ! l guess the dubious upside of a silent HA is not suffering the pain and trauma of a classic HA. But of course the much more serious downside is not getting medical help early and the risks that entails.

[irishwife93 in reply to chicolini]

chicolini we both can’t face Greek food to this day 😂 but yes, you're right, we were lucky he didn’t have a dramatic heart attack first time around. If you need any support or anyone to talk to we’re both here to help, I completely understand what a scary and confusing time it is for you and your husband right now.

[chicolini in reply to irishwife93]

Thank you so much for your support. I read in your profile what happened to you, it must have been just awful, and so unexpected. I really hope your hubby,s health stays stable and you both are able to see your plans into reality .

[Furryears]

I am sorry to hear this and I can’t add anything as I have no personal experience either, please keep talking to the medical professionals and keep us posted, just wanted to let you know I am listening ♥️

[chicolini in reply to Furryears]

Thank you furryears, I appreciate your support and caring 😊

[Cavalierrubie]

My dad had a silent heart attack and it wasn’t known until he had an ecg during a yearly check up. He knew nothing of it and the doctor said he must have had it in his sleep. There was no reason as he was very fit and was on no medication. He was in his late 70’s at the time. That’s all l can tell you but yes, it does happen. All the best.

[chicolini in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Thank you Cavalierruby. It's been interesting to hear these experiences. I had no idea this was even a thing before now !

[Skeets]

I had a silent heart attack exactly a year tomorrow.

Just felt few seconds of light head. And uncomfortable feeling in my shoulders. No pain .

It’s scary as I now do not know if I’m having another as practically felt nothing last time.

[chicolini in reply to Skeets]

Hi Skeets, yes that's scary to never know if it's happening again. Your meds are working for you though, as you are here a year later! 😀 but l can certainly understand the anxiety of benefits really being sure and finding all odd sensations scary. Our kardia recorder always states that it can't show heart attack, and l guess that for legal reasons they dont want to be in a position to say you are or aren't having a HA. but l wonder if it would actually show something or if there is another available gadget that would provide a clue.

[Hidden]

yes, I was told on last ecg that I had had a previous silent anterior infarct. It must have occurred sometime between two episodes of PAF, about 7 months apart. I had the ecg because I had been having some chest discomfort which stopped after stopping diclofenac, 30yr use, as I became diabetic and really had to weight up anti inflammatory meds or blood thinners. The infarct was old the dr said. I try not to let it worry me, easier said than done but there’s not a great deal that can be done. I wish you both well, and everyone else. 🦊x

[chicolini in reply to Hidden]

Hi Bingofox, thanks for your good wishes. We are familiar with diclofenac, the nsaids are not safe for hearts l have read. I hope you are managing now without them. I know what you mean, Dr says don't worry but how can you not?

[Hidden]

I miss them as they were a good painkiller for my OA and RA but don’t miss the chest pain they caused. 🦊x

[Zinaling]

Hi. I had what's known as a silent heart attack. I'm 43 with heart disease in the family. I felt like I was having a panic attack after being sick with d and v. It was only in a and e when my triponin levels were found to high. Ecg was fine. Echocardiogram fine. Went to Basildon had a angiogram it showed 4 blockages so I had a quadruple cabg. 6 weeks later had another heart attack... I felt that one! Where one of the grafts occluded.

So silent ones can happen, I thought mine was indigestion!

Hope your husband gets sorted. Best wishes x

[chicolini in reply to Zinaling]

That sounds like a huge ordeal zinaling! There seems to be so much that happens that's not in the rule book. I hope you are well now, thank you for sharing your experience