I've frequently heard the term "silent" heart attack. Is this and event that wasn't recognized as a heart attack or and event that truely had no symptoms. If it's an event that wasn't recognized, would they be more prevalent in females than males?
I had a silent heart attack (MI) a couple of years ago. It usually happens when there is (gradual?) blockage of the heart arteries and the gradual process causes no symptoms or angina. The lack of oxygen to the heart damages heart tissue causing the heart to lose contractility strength.
In my situation, I didn't know there was a problem until I had pulmonary edema due to heart failure (CHF). Working on a home project I inhaled dust causing a breathing problem that led me to ER.
It happens more often to older people, and people that have diabetes. I don't have diabetes, but I am in the upper age range.
I don't know about gender as a factor, but MI has been on the increase with women, and statistics indicate women live longer, so if age is a factor for silent MI then that may also be on the increase.
I'm not sure of the stats about whether there's more females than males, but my brother died last year from sudden cardiac death and the autopsy showed several prior heart attacks and occlusions. He had never had any symptoms or diagnosis of heart disease before that, so I know it can happen in men. I have also read that some folks also have very mild symptoms of heart attacks, and may dismiss them as heartburn or other problems.
