🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 135 (from laksa113)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa135.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/","crawl_time":1776205111,"first_indexed_time":1741977002,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,aarp!www,\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ s443","src_root_hash":"2223325636571181335","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"How to Recognize the Signs of a Silent Heart Attack","meta_descriptions":["Silent heart attacks, where the patient has no symptoms or does not recognize them, can still cause major health issues. Here's what to watch for."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"8 Warning Signs of a 'Silent' Heart Attack That Are Easy to Overlook\nSymptoms can be subtle, but that doesn't mean they're any less dangerous\nChaay Tee\/Getty Images\nBy\nRachel Nania,\nAARP\nPublished\nAugust 06, 2021\n\/\nUpdated\nAugust 16, 2022\nDespite its depiction in the movies, a heart attack doesn't always produce pain or pressure so intense it causes a person to clutch their chest and collapse to the floor. Most people who have a\nheart attack\nexperience a much less dramatic version. And some have no symptoms at all — or symptoms that are so subtle they're mistaken for something else entirely.\nThese so-called silent heart attacks account for about 20 percent of all heart attacks, \naccording to 2022 statistics\n from the American Heart Association. Some experts estimate that percentage is even higher — closer to 50 percent.\nWhat is a silent heart attack?\nA heart attack happens when the arteries that carry blood to the heart become blocked, thereby depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. If a person having a heart attack feels pain or pressure, it's because of this blockage, says Eduardo Marban, M.D., executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.\nThe same thing happens during a silent heart attack — blocked arteries make it so that oxygen-rich blood can't reach the heart. The only difference is the problem goes unnoticed. “It's not necessarily that there were no symptoms; it may just be that the patient didn't recognize them as heart symptoms and wasn't concerned,” Marban says.\nFew people actually exhibit no symptoms. But signs of a heart attack can be muted or confused with other conditions. Here's what to look out for:\nShortness of breath\nWeakness or fatigue\nA general feeling of unease or discomfort\nSweating\nNausea or vomiting\nLightheadedness or dizziness\nMild pain in the throat or chest\nPain in the back or arms, like a sprained or pulled muscle\nFor example, it's not uncommon for silent heart attacks to be written off as indigestion, a sprained or strained muscle, fatigue or “just feeling run-down,” Marban says.\nPeople who later realize they've had a silent heart attack may also recall experiencing shortness of breath at the time, or a general state of discomfort that led to a night of lost sleep, says Robert Lager, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Nausea, sweating, dizziness and an overall feeling of unease are also signs of a silent heart attack.\nIf you experience any of these symptoms, “don't sit around and wonder” what could be wrong. “Time is muscle,” Lager says, referring to the damage that decreased blood flow can inflict on the heart. “The longer one waits to get evaluated, the more likely that there will be irreversible damage.”\nThat said, some people truly experience no symptoms — understated or otherwise — when they have a heart attack. Diabetics who have nerve issues that interfere with pain signals (called neuropathy), for example, are at higher risk for having a literal silent heart attack, Lager says.\nWomen\nand older adults are also more likely to have an event without warning signs.\nIs it a heart attack… or something else?\nSilent heart attacks don’t just fool patients; they can be misdiagnosed in health care settings too. Shortness of breath may be mistaken for a pulmonary problem, for instance. And pain in the shoulder or arm can be misdiagnosed as an orthopedic issue. “So there are lots of different forms of symptoms that are referred pain from the heart that can be very confusing and sometimes can be misleading,” Lager says.\nOne way to tell if the symptoms you're experiencing are due to a heart attack or another condition is to know that the warning signs of heart trouble are “not positional,” Lager says. This means that the sprain-like pain in your neck and arm won't get better if you stretch it or shake it out. And shortness of breath or sweating won't subside if you take it easy and lie down.\n\"That's a really good rule of thumb,” Lager says. “If you're not sure if you're having a symptom, see if you can manipulate it in some way. Can you press on the chest? Can you change your position? Can you stand up or sit down? Does it make a difference, positionally? Because the heart has no gyroscope; it doesn't know where it is in space. And it doesn't matter if you put the heart upside down or right side up, it's going to give you the same signals if it's in trouble.\"\nAnother thing to keep in mind: Any symptom that results from the loss of oxygen to the heart will generally get worse if you increase demand on the heart. “So if someone has chest discomfort at rest and gets up and walks around, you're increasing the heart's demand for oxygen, so the symptoms usually will get worse if it's a heart issue,” Lager says.\nThe risks factors for silent heart attacks are the same as those for a heart attack with symptoms. The most common include:\nAge (for men, 45 and older; for women, 55 and older)\nDiabetes\nExcess weight\nHigh blood pressure\nHigh cholesterol\nLack of exercise\nPrior heart attack\nTobacco use\nA family history of heart disease\nThe dangers of having a heart attack and not knowing\nMany people who have had a silent heart attack find out about it after the fact — sometimes months or years later — usually during a routine electrocardiogram, or EKG. Symptoms that arise afterward can also bring patients in to see a health care provider. Lager says people who have suffered a silent heart attack may notice a faster heart rate or increased exercise intolerance, for example.\nUsually when someone finds out they’ve had a silent heart attack, the damage has already been done. But identifying a past heart attack can help you and your doctor mitigate risks for future cardiac events. After all, a silent heart attack is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, \na 2018 study\n in the \nJournal of the American College of Cardiology\n found. It just needs to be on the name of the journal.. It also increases the likelihood of sudden death, stroke and having another heart attack.\nDangerous heart arrhythmias are another concern your doctor may monitor for if you had an undetected heart attack in the past. These can develop when parts of the heart muscle are scarred from the loss of blood. And another worry: Because “our blood gets thicker under stress,” Lager says, blood clots are also more likely to crop up after you've had a heart attack.\n\"Once the diagnosis is made, either of a recognized heart attack or a silent heart attack, everything is put into a higher risk category in terms of the complications that can ensue,” Marban says. “So it's not something that we should just consider a curiosity and do nothing about. … Detecting a heart attack and acknowledging it is the first step towards putting the patient back on the kind of effective therapy that we know is helpful.”\nDon't ignore out-of-the-blue issues\nThe take-home message, Lager says, is to pay attention to a change in patterns in your body.\n\"If you're someone who occasionally has some chest discomfort that's mild, transient and occurs in certain predictable patterns, then it's not nearly the same as someone who has new symptoms never felt before,” he says.\nAnd if you're prone to indigestion and just ate a spicy meal, the burning feeling in your chest is likely heartburn. But if it comes on out of the blue and the symptoms get worse, especially as you walk around or exercise, “that's a real warning sign that it's not gastrointestinal,” Lager says.\nEditor's Note: This story, originally published Aug. 6, 2021, has been updated to reflect new information.\nRachel Nania is an award-winning health editor and writer at AARP.org, who covers a range of topics including diseases and treatments. \nMore on health","attrs_markdown":"Javascript is not enabled.\n\nJavascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.\n\n[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/#aarp-u-end-of-header)\n\n[Preparing for retirement? 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\"link to small business landing page\")\n\n[Employers](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/work\/employers\/ \"Link to the employers landing page\")\n\n[Age Discrimination](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/work\/age-discrimination\/ \"Link to the age discrimination landing page\")\n\n[Member Benefits](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/membership\/benefits\/finance\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/work\/job-search\/indeed-career-services\/ \"Job Search Help from AARP and Indeed\")\n\nFlexible Work\n\n[Job Search Help from AARP and Indeed](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/work\/job-search\/indeed-career-services\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/work\/skills-builder\/ \"Online Courses to Boost Your Career\")\n\nAARP Skills Builder\n\n[Online Courses to Boost Your Career](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/work\/skills-builder\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/work\/job-search\/retiree-part-time-jobs\/ \"Part-Time Jobs (No Degree Required!)\")\n\nFlexible Work\n\n[Part-Time Jobs (No Degree Required!)](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/work\/job-search\/retiree-part-time-jobs\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![a person on a laptop screen with various icons around it]()](https:\/\/virtualevents.aarp.org\/workjobs-hub\/en\/home?utm_medium=dotorg&utm_source=aarp&utm_campaign=workjobs-turnkey-webinar-hubpage-2024&utm_content=evergreen-top-nav&cmp=OTH-IMM-WORKJOBS-WEBINAR-HOUSE_TOPNAV \"Tips to Enhance Your Job Search\")\n\nON-DEMAND WEBINARS\n\n[Tips to Enhance Your Job Search](https:\/\/virtualevents.aarp.org\/workjobs-hub\/en\/home?utm_medium=dotorg&utm_source=aarp&utm_campaign=workjobs-turnkey-webinar-hubpage-2024&utm_content=evergreen-top-nav&cmp=OTH-IMM-WORKJOBS-WEBINAR-HOUSE_TOPNAV)\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Advocacy](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/advocacy\/ \"Link to advocacy channel page\")\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"link to close menu\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/medicare\/more-medicare-drug-price-negotiations-2025\/ \"Saving You RX Dollars\")\n\nDrug Prices\n\n[Saving You RX Dollars](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/medicare\/more-medicare-drug-price-negotiations-2025\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/advocacy\/call-on-congress-protect-social-security-2025\/ \"Fighting to Protect Social Security\")\n\nSocial Security\n\n[Fighting to Protect Social Security](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/advocacy\/call-on-congress-protect-social-security-2025\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/advocacy\/safeguard-medicaid-2025\/ \"Advocating for Strong Programs\")\n\nMedicare & Medicaid\n\n[Advocating for Strong Programs](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/advocacy\/safeguard-medicaid-2025\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/advocacy\/100-reasons-support-family-caregivers-2025\/ \"Supporting Family Caregivers\")\n\nCaregiving\n\n[Supporting Family Caregivers](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/advocacy\/100-reasons-support-family-caregivers-2025\/)\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Social Security](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/social-security\/)\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"link to close menu\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/virtualevents.aarp.org\/socialsecurity-hub\/en\/home \"Navigating important Social Security decisions? We Can Help.\")\n\nWebinars\n\n[Navigating important Social Security decisions? We Can Help.](https:\/\/virtualevents.aarp.org\/socialsecurity-hub\/en\/home)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![ask a a r p on a red background]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/ask-aarp\/ \"Ask AARP: AI-powered Tool to Get the Most Out of Social Security\")\n\nTool\n\n[Ask AARP: AI-powered Tool to Get the Most Out of Social Security](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/ask-aarp\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/social-security\/retirement\/basics\/ \"10 Things You Need to Know About Social Security\")\n\nBasics\n\n[10 Things You Need to Know About Social Security](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/social-security\/retirement\/basics\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/social-security\/benefits-calculator\/ \"Social Security Benefits Calculator: Maximize Your Benefits\")\n\nTools\n\n[Social Security Benefits Calculator: Maximize Your Benefits](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/social-security\/benefits-calculator\/)\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Medicare](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/medicare\/)\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"link to close menu\")\n\n[Approaching Medicare](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/medicare\/approaching-medicare\/ \"Link to approaching medicare pathway overview\")\n\n[Enrolling in Medicare](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/medicare\/enrolling-medicare\/ \"link to parts of enrolling in medicare pathway overview\")\n\n[Managing Costs & Coverage](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/medicare\/managing-costs-coverage\/ \"link to managing medicare costs pathway overview\")\n\n[Getting Help](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/medicare\/getting-help\/ \"link to getting help with medicare series\")\n\n[Latest News](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/medicare\/latest-news\/ \"link to the latest medicare news\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Ask A A R P. A I powered help from trusted A A R P sources. Illustration of a man using a laptop]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/ask-aarp\/ \"Ask AARP: AI-powered Tool to Get the Most Out of Medicare \")\n\nTool\n\n[Ask AARP: AI-powered Tool to Get the Most Out of Medicare](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/ask-aarp\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![illustration of a clipboard with a checklist and medical cross on it]()](https:\/\/navigator.aarp.org\/en_gb\/courses\/course\/17 \"Take This Course to Feel Prepared About Enrolling in Medicare \")\n\nAARP Navigator\n\n[Take This Course to Feel Prepared About Enrolling in Medicare](https:\/\/navigator.aarp.org\/en_gb\/courses\/course\/17)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![a red and white illustration showing a woman in a monitor flanked by a word bubble and a calendar]()](https:\/\/virtualevents.aarp.org\/medicare-hub\/en\/home?cmp=OTH-CSN-LEARN-MULTI-MEDICARE \"Get Answers to Medicare Questions With Our On-demand Webinars \")\n\nOn-Demand Webinars\n\n[Get Answers to Medicare Questions With Our On-demand Webinars](https:\/\/virtualevents.aarp.org\/medicare-hub\/en\/home?cmp=OTH-CSN-LEARN-MULTI-MEDICARE)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Medical stethoscope and US flag on a pink background signifying advocacy]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/advocacy\/#medicare \"Learn How AARP is Fighting for Better Medicare\")\n\nAdvocacy\n\n[Learn How AARP is Fighting for Better Medicare](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/advocacy\/#medicare)\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Caregiving](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/ \"Link to caregiving channel page\")\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"Link to close menu\")\n\n[Basics](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/basics\/ \"Link to basics laning page\")\n\n[Care at Home](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/home-care\/ \"Link to care at home landing page\")\n\n[Medical](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/medical\/ \"Link to medical landing page\")\n\n[Financial & Legal](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/financial-legal\/ \"Link to the finance and legal landing page\")\n\n[Life Balance](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/life-balance\/ \"Link to life balance landing page\")\n\n[Local](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/local\/ \"Link to the local landing page\")\n\n[Member Benefits](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/membership\/benefits\/caregiving\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![person stands at a door marked with a first aid cross there are a series of many doors and the person is wondering which is the best choice]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/financial-legal\/understanding-long-term-care-insurance\/ \"Understanding Basics of LTC Insurance\")\n\nLONG-TERM CARE\n\n[Understanding Basics of LTC Insurance](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/financial-legal\/understanding-long-term-care-insurance\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![illustration of a map with an icon of a person helping another person with a cane navigate towards caregiving]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/care-connect\/resources\/ \"Assistance and Services in Your Area\")\n\nState Guides\n\n[Assistance and Services in Your Area](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/care-connect\/resources\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/prepare-to-care-planning-guide\/ \"How to Develop a Caregiving Plan\")\n\nPrepare to Care Guides\n\n[How to Develop a Caregiving Plan](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/prepare-to-care-planning-guide\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Close up of a hospice nurse holding the hands of one of her patients]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/grief-loss-end-of-life\/ \"How to Cope With Grief, Loss\")\n\nEnd of Life\n\n[How to Cope With Grief, Loss](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/grief-loss-end-of-life\/)\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Games](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/)\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"Link to close menu\")\n\n[All](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/all-games\/ \"Link to the AARP All Games landing page\")\n\n[Recently Played](https:\/\/games.aarp.org\/category\/recently-played \"Link to AARP recently played games\")\n\n[Word & Trivia](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/word\/ \"Link to AARP Games Word and Trivia category landing page\")\n\n[Rewards](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/rewards-games\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Rewards category landing age\")\n\n[Atari® & Retro](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/atari-games\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Atari and Retro category landing page\")\n\n[Mahjongg](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/mahjongg\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Mahjongg category landing page\")\n\n[Members Only](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/members\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Members Only category landing page\")\n\n[Staying Sharp](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/staying-sharp\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Staying Sharp category landing page\")\n\n[Solitare](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/solitaire\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Solitare category landing page\")\n\n[New Games](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/new\/ \"Link to new games webpage\")\n\n[Strategy](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/strategy\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Strategy category landing page\")\n\n[Arcade](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/arcade\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Arcade category landing page\")\n\n[Puzzles](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/puzzles\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Puzzle category landing page\")\n\n[Card](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/card\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Card category landing page\")\n\n[Juegos](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/juegos-espanol\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Juegos category landing page\")\n\n[Daily](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/daily-games\/ \"Link to the AARP Games Daily category landing page\")\n\n[Game Shows](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/game-shows\/ \"Learn more about the game show\")\n\n[Multiplayer](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/multiplayer-games\/ \"Learn more about the multiplayer games\")\n\n[More About Games](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/more-on-games\/ \"Learn more about A A R P games\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![AARP Right Again Trivia and AARP Rewards]()](https:\/\/games.aarp.org\/games\/right-again-trivia \"Right Again! Trivia\")\n\n[Right Again! Trivia](https:\/\/games.aarp.org\/games\/right-again-trivia)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![AARP Right Again Trivia Sports and AARP Rewards]()](https:\/\/games.aarp.org\/games\/right-again-trivia-sports \"Right Again! Trivia – Sports\")\n\n[Right Again! Trivia – Sports](https:\/\/games.aarp.org\/games\/right-again-trivia-sports)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Atari, Centipede, Pong, Breakout, Missile Command Asteroids]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/atari-games\/ \"Atari® Video Games\")\n\n[Atari® Video Games](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/games\/category\/atari-games\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Throwback Thursday Crossword and AARP Rewards]()](https:\/\/games.aarp.org\/games\/throwback-thursday-crossword \"Throwback Thursday Crossword\")\n\n[Throwback Thursday Crossword](https:\/\/games.aarp.org\/games\/throwback-thursday-crossword)\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Travel](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/ \"Link to travel channel page\")\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"Link to close menu\")\n\n[Travel Tips](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/travel-tips\/ \"Link to travel tips page\")\n\n[Vacation Ideas](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/vacation-ideas\/ \"Link to vacation ideas landing page\")\n\n[Destinations](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/destinations\/ \"Link to destinations landing page\")\n\n[Travel Benefits](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/membership\/benefits\/travel\/ \"AARP Travel Benefits\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/vacation-ideas\/scenic-spring-road-trips\/ \"Scenic Spring Road Trips\")\n\nSpRing TRAVEL\n\n[Scenic Spring Road Trips](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/vacation-ideas\/scenic-spring-road-trips\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/travel-tips\/fast-free-in-flight-wifi\/ \"Fast, Free Wi-Fi on Airlines\")\n\nIN-FLIGHT WI-FI\n\n[Fast, Free Wi-Fi on Airlines](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/travel-tips\/fast-free-in-flight-wifi\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]() MEMBERS ONLY](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/destinations\/taste-of-america\/ \"Chefs Dish on Local Food Scene\")\n\nTASTE OF AMERICA\n\n[Chefs Dish on Local Food Scene](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/destinations\/taste-of-america\/)\n\nMEMBERS ONLY\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/travel-tips\/cheap-flights-tips\/ \"11 Tips to Beat Airfare Hikes\")\n\nCHEAP FLIGHT TIPS\n\n[11 Tips to Beat Airfare Hikes](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/travel\/travel-tips\/cheap-flights-tips\/)\n\n- Entertainment & Style\n- Family & Relationships\n- Personal Tech\n- AARP Smart Picks\n- Home & Living\n- Auto\n- Staying Sharp\n- Podcasts\n- Videos\n- Events\n- AARP Near You\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Entertainment & Style](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/ \"Link to entertainment channel page\")\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"link to close menu\")\n\n[Movies](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/movies-for-grownups\/ \"Link to movies laning page\")\n\n[TV](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/television\/ \"Link to television landing page\")\n\n[Music](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/music\/ \"Link to the music landing page\")\n\n[Celebrities](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/celebrities\/ \"Link to the celebrity landing page\")\n\n[Beauty & Style](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/beauty-style\/ \"Link to beauty and style landing page\")\n\n[Books](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/books\/ \"Link to books landing page\")\n\n[Member Benefits](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/membership\/benefits\/entertainment\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]() MEMBERS ONLY](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/beauty-style\/secrets-of-online-beauty-shoppers\/ \"The Secrets of Online Beauty Shoppers\")\n\nBeauty & Style\n\n[The Secrets of Online Beauty Shoppers](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/beauty-style\/secrets-of-online-beauty-shoppers\/)\n\nMEMBERS ONLY\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/movies-for-grownups\/movie-preview-2026\/ \"2026 Movie Preview\")\n\nMovies for Grownups\n\n[2026 Movie Preview](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/movies-for-grownups\/movie-preview-2026\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]() MEMBERS ONLY](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/music\/essential-songs-for-gen-x\/ \"Essential Songs for Gen Xers\")\n\nMUSIC\n\n[Essential Songs for Gen Xers](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/entertainment\/music\/essential-songs-for-gen-x\/)\n\nMEMBERS ONLY\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Family & Relationships](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/family-relationships\/ \"Link to family and relationships landing page\")\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"link to close menu\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![graphic of a man and a woman with a cherry in their mouths]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/membership\/members-edition\/in-the-mood\/ \"Your Questions Answered\")\n\nSex & Dating\n\n[Your Questions Answered](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/membership\/members-edition\/in-the-mood\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/grandparents\/ \"Everything You Need to Know\")\n\nGrandparenting\n\n[Everything You Need to Know](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/caregiving\/grandparents\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]() MEMBERS ONLY](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/family-relationships\/great-ways-to-bond-with-your-dog\/ \"Great Ways to Bond With Your Dog\")\n\nPets\n\n[Great Ways to Bond With Your Dog](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/family-relationships\/great-ways-to-bond-with-your-dog\/)\n\nMEMBERS ONLY\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Personal Tech](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/personal-technology\/ \"link to personal tech landing page\")\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"link to close menu\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![a tablet displaying smart home controls in a living room]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/personal-technology\/caregiving-smart-home-technology\/ \"Caregiver’s Guide to Smart Home Tech\")\n\nHome Technology\n\n[Caregiver’s Guide to Smart Home Tech](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/personal-technology\/caregiving-smart-home-technology\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/social-connections\/ \"Creating Social Connections\")\n\nGet Happier\n\n[Creating Social Connections](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/social-connections\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![a hand is touching computer signals on a blue background]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/personal-technology\/artificial-intelligence\/ \"Weighing the Perils and Positives\")\n\nPOSSIBILITIES OF AI\n\n[Weighing the Perils and Positives](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/personal-technology\/artificial-intelligence\/)\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[AARP Smart Picks](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/product-reviews\/)\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"link to close menu\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/best-mattress\/ \"The Best Mattresses of 2026: Expert Testing\")\n\nSleep\n\n[The Best Mattresses of 2026: Expert Testing](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/best-mattress\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/family-relationships\/best-dating-sites-for-seniors\/ \"The Top Dating Sites for Seniors Compared\")\n\nRelationships\n\n[The Top Dating Sites for Seniors Compared](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/family-relationships\/best-dating-sites-for-seniors\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/best-blood-pressure-monitors\/ \"Best Blood Pressure Monitors 2026\")\n\nHome Health\n\n[Best Blood Pressure Monitors 2026](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/best-blood-pressure-monitors\/)\n\n[Back](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Home & Living](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/home-living\/ \"link to your home landing page\")\n\n[Close Menu](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/ \"link to close menu\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/home-living\/fall-prevention-safety-tips\/ \"Tips to Prevent Dangerous Falls\")\n\nSAFE AT HOME\n\n[Tips to Prevent Dangerous Falls](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/home-living\/fall-prevention-safety-tips\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![]()](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/home-living\/is-over-55-community-right-for-you\/ \"Is a 55+ Community Right for You?\")\n\nAGING IN PLACE\n\n[Is a 55+ Community Right for 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A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.\n\n[Continue](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/) [Cancel](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n\n[Health](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/)\n\n# 8 Warning Signs of a 'Silent' Heart Attack That Are Easy to Overlook\n## Symptoms can be subtle, but that doesn't mean they're any less dangerous\n\n![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg)\n\n![Medical provider using stethoscope to give a woman a heart exam](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/aarpe\/en\/home\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_main\/container_body_main\/container_image\/articlecontentfragme\/cfimage.coreimg.75.1440.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/health\/conditions_treatments\/2021\/08\/1140-heart-exam.jpg)\n\nChaay Tee\/Getty Images\n\n- [Facebook](http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n- [Twitter](http:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/&related=CreateTheGood&text=8%2520Warning%2520Signs%2520of%2520a%2520%2527Silent%2527%2520Heart%2520Attack%2520That%2520Are%2520Easy%2520to%2520Overlook)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/&title=8%2520Warning%2520Signs%2520of%2520a%2520%2527Silent%2527%2520Heart%2520Attack%2520That%2520Are%2520Easy%2520to%2520Overlook)\n\nBy\n\nRachel Nania,\n\nUpdated  August 16, 2022\n\nAARP\n\n[En español](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/espanol\/salud\/enfermedades-y-tratamientos\/info-2021\/sintomas-ataque-al-corazon-silencioso.html)\n\nPublished  August 06, 2021\n\n\/ Updated  August 16, 2022\n\nDespite its depiction in the movies, a heart attack doesn't always produce pain or pressure so intense it causes a person to clutch their chest and collapse to the floor. Most people who have a [heart attack](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/heart-attack-survivor-stories\/ \"what a heart attack feels like\") experience a much less dramatic version. And some have no symptoms at all — or symptoms that are so subtle they're mistaken for something else entirely.\n\nThese so-called silent heart attacks account for about 20 percent of all heart attacks, [according to 2022 statistics](https:\/\/www.ahajournals.org\/doi\/10.1161\/CIR.0000000000001052 \"american heart association\") from the American Heart Association. Some experts estimate that percentage is even higher — closer to 50 percent.\n\n[aarp-membership\/membership\/my-membership]()\n\n[Get Your Digital Membership Card Why wait for your card in the mail? Start enjoying benefits now with immediate access to many perks and rewards.](https:\/\/secure.aarp.org\/applications\/user\/auth?intcmp=MOJO-EXP-FNDRY-GYC&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fappsec.aarp.org%2Fmem%2Fcardboarding%3Fflow%3D6-a-o-2-t-i-y-r-m-e-s-n-h-xs-p-db-1-d)\n\nMembers only\n### **What is a silent heart attack?**\nA heart attack happens when the arteries that carry blood to the heart become blocked, thereby depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. If a person having a heart attack feels pain or pressure, it's because of this blockage, says Eduardo Marban, M.D., executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.\n\nThe same thing happens during a silent heart attack — blocked arteries make it so that oxygen-rich blood can't reach the heart. The only difference is the problem goes unnoticed. “It's not necessarily that there were no symptoms; it may just be that the patient didn't recognize them as heart symptoms and wasn't concerned,” Marban says.\n\n## Symptoms of a silent heart attack\n*Few people actually exhibit no symptoms. But signs of a heart attack can be muted or confused with other conditions. Here's what to look out for:*\n\n1. Shortness of breath\n2. Weakness or fatigue\n3. A general feeling of unease or discomfort\n4. Sweating\n5. Nausea or vomiting\n6. Lightheadedness or dizziness\n7. Mild pain in the throat or chest\n8. Pain in the back or arms, like a sprained or pulled muscle\n\nFor example, it's not uncommon for silent heart attacks to be written off as indigestion, a sprained or strained muscle, fatigue or “just feeling run-down,” Marban says.\n\nPeople who later realize they've had a silent heart attack may also recall experiencing shortness of breath at the time, or a general state of discomfort that led to a night of lost sleep, says Robert Lager, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Nausea, sweating, dizziness and an overall feeling of unease are also signs of a silent heart attack.\n\nIf you experience any of these symptoms, “don't sit around and wonder” what could be wrong. “Time is muscle,” Lager says, referring to the damage that decreased blood flow can inflict on the heart. “The longer one waits to get evaluated, the more likely that there will be irreversible damage.”\n\nThat said, some people truly experience no symptoms — understated or otherwise — when they have a heart attack. Diabetics who have nerve issues that interfere with pain signals (called neuropathy), for example, are at higher risk for having a literal silent heart attack, Lager says. [Women](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/women-heart-attacks\/ \"why heart attacks are different for women\") and older adults are also more likely to have an event without warning signs.\n\n### **Is it a heart attack… or something else?**\nSilent heart attacks don’t just fool patients; they can be misdiagnosed in health care settings too. Shortness of breath may be mistaken for a pulmonary problem, for instance. And pain in the shoulder or arm can be misdiagnosed as an orthopedic issue. “So there are lots of different forms of symptoms that are referred pain from the heart that can be very confusing and sometimes can be misleading,” Lager says.\n\n![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg)\n\n![newsletter-naw-tablet](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/experience-fragments\/uxdia-folder-structure\/en\/next-action-widgets\/newsletter_naw\/Newsletter_NAW\/health\/_jcr_content\/root\/responsivegrid\/container_copy\/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/QA_bucket\/widgetimages\/newsletter_NAW_tablet.jpg)\n\nAARP NEWSLETTERS\n\n![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg)\n\n![Mujer leyendo tableta](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/experience-fragments\/uxdia-folder-structure\/en\/next-action-widgets\/newsletter_naw\/Newsletter_NAW\/health\/_jcr_content\/root\/responsivegrid\/container_copy\/container\/container\/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.png\/content\/dam\/aarp\/QA_bucket\/widgetimages\/newsletter_NAW_desktop.png)\n\nGet the Your Health newsletter from AARP\n\n**Sign up for the latest health news, fitness and nutrition updates and more\\!**\n\n[See All Newsletters](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/newsletters\/)\n\n[Privacy Hub](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/privacy\/ \"privacy hub link\")\n\nARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT\n\n- [Facebook](http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/)\n- [Twitter](http:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/&related=CreateTheGood&text=8%2520Warning%2520Signs%2520of%2520a%2520%2527Silent%2527%2520Heart%2520Attack%2520That%2520Are%2520Easy%2520to%2520Overlook)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/&title=8%2520Warning%2520Signs%2520of%2520a%2520%2527Silent%2527%2520Heart%2520Attack%2520That%2520Are%2520Easy%2520to%2520Overlook)\n\nOne way to tell if the symptoms you're experiencing are due to a heart attack or another condition is to know that the warning signs of heart trouble are “not positional,” Lager says. This means that the sprain-like pain in your neck and arm won't get better if you stretch it or shake it out. And shortness of breath or sweating won't subside if you take it easy and lie down.\n\n\"That's a really good rule of thumb,” Lager says. “If you're not sure if you're having a symptom, see if you can manipulate it in some way. Can you press on the chest? Can you change your position? Can you stand up or sit down? Does it make a difference, positionally? Because the heart has no gyroscope; it doesn't know where it is in space. And it doesn't matter if you put the heart upside down or right side up, it's going to give you the same signals if it's in trouble.\"\n\n[Entertainment]()\n\n[AARP Streams App Get our free app to watch Movies for Grownups and AARP Theater on your phone, tablet or TV](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/membership\/benefits\/entertainment\/aarp-streams-app\/)\n\nMembers only\n\nAnother thing to keep in mind: Any symptom that results from the loss of oxygen to the heart will generally get worse if you increase demand on the heart. “So if someone has chest discomfort at rest and gets up and walks around, you're increasing the heart's demand for oxygen, so the symptoms usually will get worse if it's a heart issue,” Lager says.\n\nThe risks factors for silent heart attacks are the same as those for a heart attack with symptoms. The most common include:\n\n- Age (for men, 45 and older; for women, 55 and older)\n- Diabetes\n- Excess weight\n- High blood pressure\n- High cholesterol\n- Lack of exercise\n- Prior heart attack\n- Tobacco use\n- A family history of heart disease\n### **The dangers of having a heart attack and not knowing**\nMany people who have had a silent heart attack find out about it after the fact — sometimes months or years later — usually during a routine electrocardiogram, or EKG. Symptoms that arise afterward can also bring patients in to see a health care provider. Lager says people who have suffered a silent heart attack may notice a faster heart rate or increased exercise intolerance, for example.\n\nUsually when someone finds out they’ve had a silent heart attack, the damage has already been done. But identifying a past heart attack can help you and your doctor mitigate risks for future cardiac events. After all, a silent heart attack is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, [a 2018 study](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0735109717414380 \"heart failure\") in the *Journal of the American College of Cardiology* found. It just needs to be on the name of the journal.. It also increases the likelihood of sudden death, stroke and having another heart attack.\n\nDangerous heart arrhythmias are another concern your doctor may monitor for if you had an undetected heart attack in the past. These can develop when parts of the heart muscle are scarred from the loss of blood. And another worry: Because “our blood gets thicker under stress,” Lager says, blood clots are also more likely to crop up after you've had a heart attack.\n\n\"Once the diagnosis is made, either of a recognized heart attack or a silent heart attack, everything is put into a higher risk category in terms of the complications that can ensue,” Marban says. “So it's not something that we should just consider a curiosity and do nothing about. … Detecting a heart attack and acknowledging it is the first step towards putting the patient back on the kind of effective therapy that we know is helpful.”\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![limited-time flash sale yellow gradient background with light rays](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/experience-fragments\/uxdia-folder-structure\/en\/next-action-widgets\/membership-promo-naw\/default\/anonymous\/_jcr_content\/root\/responsivegrid\/container_copy\/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/members\/2026\/q1-membership-sale-2026\/1140x655-fy26-q1-flashsale.jpg)](https:\/\/join.aarp.org\/ORGARTJ?&defaultoffer=60&rd%252060)\n\nFlash Sale — AARP Membership Offer\n\nJoin AARP for only \\$11 per year with a 5-year membership. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to *AARP The Magazine.*\n\n[Join AARP](https:\/\/join.aarp.org\/ORGARTJ?&defaultoffer=60&rd%252060)\n\nARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT\n\n### **Don't ignore out-of-the-blue issues**\nThe take-home message, Lager says, is to pay attention to a change in patterns in your body.\n\n\"If you're someone who occasionally has some chest discomfort that's mild, transient and occurs in certain predictable patterns, then it's not nearly the same as someone who has new symptoms never felt before,” he says.\n\nAnd if you're prone to indigestion and just ate a spicy meal, the burning feeling in your chest is likely heartburn. But if it comes on out of the blue and the symptoms get worse, especially as you walk around or exercise, “that's a real warning sign that it's not gastrointestinal,” Lager says.\n\n*Editor's Note: This story, originally published Aug. 6, 2021, has been updated to reflect new information.*\n\n*Rachel Nania is an award-winning health editor and writer at AARP.org, who covers a range of topics including diseases and treatments.*\n\nMore on health\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Woman relaxing in a bathtub](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/aarpe\/en\/home\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_main\/container_body_main\/container_body3\/container_body_cf\/container_additional_3\/container_2123475527\/featuredlist\/tabItem\/easy-heart-health-tips1.coreimg.50.932.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/health\/conditions_treatments\/2021\/01\/1140-heart-health-tips.jpg)](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/easy-heart-health-tips\/ \"Enjoyable Ways to Boost Heart Health, Lower Blood Pressure \")\n\n[Enjoyable Ways to Boost Heart Health, Lower Blood Pressure](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/easy-heart-health-tips\/)\n\n[Stretching, taking baths or enjoying coffee could lower your risk of heart attack and stroke](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/easy-heart-health-tips\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Glass of beet juice surrounded by beets.](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/aarpe\/en\/home\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_main\/container_body_main\/container_body3\/container_body_cf\/container_additional_3\/container_2123475527\/featuredlist\/tabItem\/heart-health-foods2.coreimg.50.932.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/health\/conditions_treatments\/2021\/01\/1140-beet-juice.jpg)](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/heart-health-foods\/ \"Heart Health Superfoods\")\n\n[Heart Health Superfoods](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/heart-health-foods\/)\n\n[Eat these to lower blood pressure, fight inflammation and slash heart disease and stroke risk](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/heart-health-foods\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![group of older people](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/aarpe\/en\/home\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_main\/container_body_main\/container_body3\/container_body_cf\/container_additional_3\/container_2123475527\/featuredlist\/tabItem\/heart-cardio-guide3.coreimg.50.932.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/health\/healthy-living\/2019\/04\/1140-group-in-heart-t-shirt.jpg)](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/heart-cardio-guide\/ \"Your Cardiovascular Health After 50\")\n\n[Your Cardiovascular Health After 50](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/heart-cardio-guide\/)\n\n[How can I keep my heart in top shape?](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/heart-cardio-guide\/)\n\n{ \"maxItems\":3, \"itemsPerRow\":\"3\", \"rows\":\"4\", \"loadMore\":\"6\", \"adsNum\":\"0\", \"resultsLength\":\"3\" }\n\n[%{postComment}%](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/#comments_widget_id)\n\nUnlock Access to AARP Members Edition\n\n[Join AARP to Continue](https:\/\/appsec.aarp.org\/mem\/join?campaignID=UBJFMOA23&intcmp=MEM-ONLY-ACCESS)\n\nAlready a Member? 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Reached for coffee and heartburn started back up.\n   \n   Then came pressure, left arm, neck pain .\n   \n   Managed to get to ER and praise God survived this. They did heart cath, only found one artery that had 40 percent blockage.\n   \n   No stent. Kept me 4 days and sent me home with meds.\n   \n   I do not have high Blood Pressure, diabetes. I have been on meds for high cholesterol and a smoker.\n   \n   Needless to say I am not smoking . This is a life changer for sure\n   \n   I just thought I would share this experience and any advice or questions , I appreciate.\n   \n   Read more\n   \n   reply\n   \n   0\n   \n   share\n   \n   report\n   \n   0\n   \n   0 older replies\n   \n   show older replies\n2. #### Comment by Yetsi80.\n   Ye\n   \n   Yetsi80\n   \n   December 9, 2025\n   \n   So, I am not feeling good right now and I’m not sure what it is that I am feeling. I was thinking I’m having some sort of a heart attack or something LOL but I have been diagnosed with extreme anxiety so IDK but it started after I had to break up my 13 year old twin boys :’( The left side of my chest hurts slightly beneath my breast, my throat is feeling weird when I breathe, my lower back hurts and not to mention my neck. It’s just kind of weird because I’m experiencing it all at once.\n   \n   Read more\n   \n   reply\n   \n   0\n   \n   share\n   \n   report\n   \n   0\n   \n   0 older replies\n   \n   show older replies\n3. #### Comment by JuanG511140.\n   Ju\n   \n   JuanG511140\n   \n   October 4, 2025\n   \n   The last 3 days I’ve had pain in the left side of my chest and makes my left arm\n   \n   Hurt as well, I break into a small\n   \n   Sweat and then it goes away\n   \n   reply\n   \n   0\n   \n   share\n   \n   report\n   \n   0\n   \n   0 older replies\n   \n   show older replies\n4. #### Comment by JoeH396807.\n   Jo\n   \n   JoeH396807\n   \n   September 27, 2025\n   \n   On occasions, at night, I will get a dull aching in my jaw\/s, accompanied with pounding, erratic heart beat beating. 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dangerous\n\n![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg)\n\n![Medical provider using stethoscope to give a woman a heart exam](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/aarpe\/en\/home\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_main\/container_body_main\/container_image\/articlecontentfragme\/cfimage.coreimg.75.1440.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/health\/conditions_treatments\/2021\/08\/1140-heart-exam.jpg)\n\nChaay Tee\/Getty Images\n\nBy\n\nRachel Nania,\n\nAARP\n\nPublished  August 06, 2021\n\n\/ Updated  August 16, 2022\n\nDespite its depiction in the movies, a heart attack doesn't always produce pain or pressure so intense it causes a person to clutch their chest and collapse to the floor. Most people who have a [heart attack](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/heart-attack-survivor-stories\/ \"what a heart attack feels like\") experience a much less dramatic version. And some have no symptoms at all — or symptoms that are so subtle they're mistaken for something else entirely.\n\nThese so-called silent heart attacks account for about 20 percent of all heart attacks, [according to 2022 statistics](https:\/\/www.ahajournals.org\/doi\/10.1161\/CIR.0000000000001052 \"american heart association\") from the American Heart Association. Some experts estimate that percentage is even higher — closer to 50 percent.\n\n### **What is a silent heart attack?**\nA heart attack happens when the arteries that carry blood to the heart become blocked, thereby depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. If a person having a heart attack feels pain or pressure, it's because of this blockage, says Eduardo Marban, M.D., executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.\n\nThe same thing happens during a silent heart attack — blocked arteries make it so that oxygen-rich blood can't reach the heart. The only difference is the problem goes unnoticed. “It's not necessarily that there were no symptoms; it may just be that the patient didn't recognize them as heart symptoms and wasn't concerned,” Marban says.\n\n*Few people actually exhibit no symptoms. But signs of a heart attack can be muted or confused with other conditions. Here's what to look out for:*\n\n1. Shortness of breath\n2. Weakness or fatigue\n3. A general feeling of unease or discomfort\n4. Sweating\n5. Nausea or vomiting\n6. Lightheadedness or dizziness\n7. Mild pain in the throat or chest\n8. Pain in the back or arms, like a sprained or pulled muscle\n\nFor example, it's not uncommon for silent heart attacks to be written off as indigestion, a sprained or strained muscle, fatigue or “just feeling run-down,” Marban says.\n\nPeople who later realize they've had a silent heart attack may also recall experiencing shortness of breath at the time, or a general state of discomfort that led to a night of lost sleep, says Robert Lager, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Nausea, sweating, dizziness and an overall feeling of unease are also signs of a silent heart attack.\n\nIf you experience any of these symptoms, “don't sit around and wonder” what could be wrong. “Time is muscle,” Lager says, referring to the damage that decreased blood flow can inflict on the heart. “The longer one waits to get evaluated, the more likely that there will be irreversible damage.”\n\nThat said, some people truly experience no symptoms — understated or otherwise — when they have a heart attack. Diabetics who have nerve issues that interfere with pain signals (called neuropathy), for example, are at higher risk for having a literal silent heart attack, Lager says. [Women](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/women-heart-attacks\/ \"why heart attacks are different for women\") and older adults are also more likely to have an event without warning signs.\n\n### **Is it a heart attack… or something else?**\nSilent heart attacks don’t just fool patients; they can be misdiagnosed in health care settings too. Shortness of breath may be mistaken for a pulmonary problem, for instance. And pain in the shoulder or arm can be misdiagnosed as an orthopedic issue. “So there are lots of different forms of symptoms that are referred pain from the heart that can be very confusing and sometimes can be misleading,” Lager says.\n\nOne way to tell if the symptoms you're experiencing are due to a heart attack or another condition is to know that the warning signs of heart trouble are “not positional,” Lager says. This means that the sprain-like pain in your neck and arm won't get better if you stretch it or shake it out. And shortness of breath or sweating won't subside if you take it easy and lie down.\n\n\"That's a really good rule of thumb,” Lager says. “If you're not sure if you're having a symptom, see if you can manipulate it in some way. Can you press on the chest? Can you change your position? Can you stand up or sit down? Does it make a difference, positionally? Because the heart has no gyroscope; it doesn't know where it is in space. And it doesn't matter if you put the heart upside down or right side up, it's going to give you the same signals if it's in trouble.\"\n\nAnother thing to keep in mind: Any symptom that results from the loss of oxygen to the heart will generally get worse if you increase demand on the heart. “So if someone has chest discomfort at rest and gets up and walks around, you're increasing the heart's demand for oxygen, so the symptoms usually will get worse if it's a heart issue,” Lager says.\n\nThe risks factors for silent heart attacks are the same as those for a heart attack with symptoms. The most common include:\n\n- Age (for men, 45 and older; for women, 55 and older)\n- Diabetes\n- Excess weight\n- High blood pressure\n- High cholesterol\n- Lack of exercise\n- Prior heart attack\n- Tobacco use\n- A family history of heart disease\n### **The dangers of having a heart attack and not knowing**\nMany people who have had a silent heart attack find out about it after the fact — sometimes months or years later — usually during a routine electrocardiogram, or EKG. Symptoms that arise afterward can also bring patients in to see a health care provider. Lager says people who have suffered a silent heart attack may notice a faster heart rate or increased exercise intolerance, for example.\n\nUsually when someone finds out they’ve had a silent heart attack, the damage has already been done. But identifying a past heart attack can help you and your doctor mitigate risks for future cardiac events. After all, a silent heart attack is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, [a 2018 study](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0735109717414380 \"heart failure\") in the *Journal of the American College of Cardiology* found. It just needs to be on the name of the journal.. It also increases the likelihood of sudden death, stroke and having another heart attack.\n\nDangerous heart arrhythmias are another concern your doctor may monitor for if you had an undetected heart attack in the past. These can develop when parts of the heart muscle are scarred from the loss of blood. And another worry: Because “our blood gets thicker under stress,” Lager says, blood clots are also more likely to crop up after you've had a heart attack.\n\n\"Once the diagnosis is made, either of a recognized heart attack or a silent heart attack, everything is put into a higher risk category in terms of the complications that can ensue,” Marban says. “So it's not something that we should just consider a curiosity and do nothing about. … Detecting a heart attack and acknowledging it is the first step towards putting the patient back on the kind of effective therapy that we know is helpful.”\n\n### **Don't ignore out-of-the-blue issues**\nThe take-home message, Lager says, is to pay attention to a change in patterns in your body.\n\n\"If you're someone who occasionally has some chest discomfort that's mild, transient and occurs in certain predictable patterns, then it's not nearly the same as someone who has new symptoms never felt before,” he says.\n\nAnd if you're prone to indigestion and just ate a spicy meal, the burning feeling in your chest is likely heartburn. But if it comes on out of the blue and the symptoms get worse, especially as you walk around or exercise, “that's a real warning sign that it's not gastrointestinal,” Lager says.\n\n*Editor's Note: This story, originally published Aug. 6, 2021, has been updated to reflect new information.*\n\n*Rachel Nania is an award-winning health editor and writer at AARP.org, who covers a range of topics including diseases and treatments.*\n\nMore on health\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Woman relaxing in a bathtub](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/aarpe\/en\/home\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_main\/container_body_main\/container_body3\/container_body_cf\/container_additional_3\/container_2123475527\/featuredlist\/tabItem\/easy-heart-health-tips1.coreimg.50.932.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/health\/conditions_treatments\/2021\/01\/1140-heart-health-tips.jpg)](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/easy-heart-health-tips\/ \"Enjoyable Ways to Boost Heart Health, Lower Blood Pressure \")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Glass of beet juice surrounded by beets.](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/aarpe\/en\/home\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_main\/container_body_main\/container_body3\/container_body_cf\/container_additional_3\/container_2123475527\/featuredlist\/tabItem\/heart-health-foods2.coreimg.50.932.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/health\/conditions_treatments\/2021\/01\/1140-beet-juice.jpg)](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/heart-health-foods\/ \"Heart Health Superfoods\")\n\n[![](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/etc\/uxdia\/images\/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![group of older people](https:\/\/cdn.aarp.net\/content\/dam\/aarpe\/en\/home\/health\/conditions-treatments\/silent-heart-attack\/_jcr_content\/root\/container_main\/container_body_main\/container_body3\/container_body_cf\/container_additional_3\/container_2123475527\/featuredlist\/tabItem\/heart-cardio-guide3.coreimg.50.932.jpeg\/content\/dam\/aarp\/health\/healthy-living\/2019\/04\/1140-group-in-heart-t-shirt.jpg)](https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/healthy-living\/heart-cardio-guide\/ \"Your Cardiovascular Health After 50\")","meta_canonical":null}

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URL	https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/
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Meta Title	How to Recognize the Signs of a Silent Heart Attack
Meta Description	Silent heart attacks, where the patient has no symptoms or does not recognize them, can still cause major health issues. Here's what to watch for.
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Boilerpipe Text	8 Warning Signs of a 'Silent' Heart Attack That Are Easy to Overlook Symptoms can be subtle, but that doesn't mean they're any less dangerous Chaay Tee/Getty Images By Rachel Nania, AARP Published August 06, 2021 / Updated August 16, 2022 Despite its depiction in the movies, a heart attack doesn't always produce pain or pressure so intense it causes a person to clutch their chest and collapse to the floor. Most people who have a heart attack experience a much less dramatic version. And some have no symptoms at all — or symptoms that are so subtle they're mistaken for something else entirely. These so-called silent heart attacks account for about 20 percent of all heart attacks, according to 2022 statistics from the American Heart Association. Some experts estimate that percentage is even higher — closer to 50 percent. What is a silent heart attack? A heart attack happens when the arteries that carry blood to the heart become blocked, thereby depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. If a person having a heart attack feels pain or pressure, it's because of this blockage, says Eduardo Marban, M.D., executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The same thing happens during a silent heart attack — blocked arteries make it so that oxygen-rich blood can't reach the heart. The only difference is the problem goes unnoticed. “It's not necessarily that there were no symptoms; it may just be that the patient didn't recognize them as heart symptoms and wasn't concerned,” Marban says. Few people actually exhibit no symptoms. But signs of a heart attack can be muted or confused with other conditions. Here's what to look out for: Shortness of breath Weakness or fatigue A general feeling of unease or discomfort Sweating Nausea or vomiting Lightheadedness or dizziness Mild pain in the throat or chest Pain in the back or arms, like a sprained or pulled muscle For example, it's not uncommon for silent heart attacks to be written off as indigestion, a sprained or strained muscle, fatigue or “just feeling run-down,” Marban says. People who later realize they've had a silent heart attack may also recall experiencing shortness of breath at the time, or a general state of discomfort that led to a night of lost sleep, says Robert Lager, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Nausea, sweating, dizziness and an overall feeling of unease are also signs of a silent heart attack. If you experience any of these symptoms, “don't sit around and wonder” what could be wrong. “Time is muscle,” Lager says, referring to the damage that decreased blood flow can inflict on the heart. “The longer one waits to get evaluated, the more likely that there will be irreversible damage.” That said, some people truly experience no symptoms — understated or otherwise — when they have a heart attack. Diabetics who have nerve issues that interfere with pain signals (called neuropathy), for example, are at higher risk for having a literal silent heart attack, Lager says. Women and older adults are also more likely to have an event without warning signs. Is it a heart attack… or something else? Silent heart attacks don’t just fool patients; they can be misdiagnosed in health care settings too. Shortness of breath may be mistaken for a pulmonary problem, for instance. And pain in the shoulder or arm can be misdiagnosed as an orthopedic issue. “So there are lots of different forms of symptoms that are referred pain from the heart that can be very confusing and sometimes can be misleading,” Lager says. One way to tell if the symptoms you're experiencing are due to a heart attack or another condition is to know that the warning signs of heart trouble are “not positional,” Lager says. This means that the sprain-like pain in your neck and arm won't get better if you stretch it or shake it out. And shortness of breath or sweating won't subside if you take it easy and lie down. "That's a really good rule of thumb,” Lager says. “If you're not sure if you're having a symptom, see if you can manipulate it in some way. Can you press on the chest? Can you change your position? Can you stand up or sit down? Does it make a difference, positionally? Because the heart has no gyroscope; it doesn't know where it is in space. And it doesn't matter if you put the heart upside down or right side up, it's going to give you the same signals if it's in trouble." Another thing to keep in mind: Any symptom that results from the loss of oxygen to the heart will generally get worse if you increase demand on the heart. “So if someone has chest discomfort at rest and gets up and walks around, you're increasing the heart's demand for oxygen, so the symptoms usually will get worse if it's a heart issue,” Lager says. The risks factors for silent heart attacks are the same as those for a heart attack with symptoms. The most common include: Age (for men, 45 and older; for women, 55 and older) Diabetes Excess weight High blood pressure High cholesterol Lack of exercise Prior heart attack Tobacco use A family history of heart disease The dangers of having a heart attack and not knowing Many people who have had a silent heart attack find out about it after the fact — sometimes months or years later — usually during a routine electrocardiogram, or EKG. Symptoms that arise afterward can also bring patients in to see a health care provider. Lager says people who have suffered a silent heart attack may notice a faster heart rate or increased exercise intolerance, for example. Usually when someone finds out they’ve had a silent heart attack, the damage has already been done. But identifying a past heart attack can help you and your doctor mitigate risks for future cardiac events. After all, a silent heart attack is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, a 2018 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found. It just needs to be on the name of the journal.. It also increases the likelihood of sudden death, stroke and having another heart attack. Dangerous heart arrhythmias are another concern your doctor may monitor for if you had an undetected heart attack in the past. These can develop when parts of the heart muscle are scarred from the loss of blood. And another worry: Because “our blood gets thicker under stress,” Lager says, blood clots are also more likely to crop up after you've had a heart attack. "Once the diagnosis is made, either of a recognized heart attack or a silent heart attack, everything is put into a higher risk category in terms of the complications that can ensue,” Marban says. “So it's not something that we should just consider a curiosity and do nothing about. … Detecting a heart attack and acknowledging it is the first step towards putting the patient back on the kind of effective therapy that we know is helpful.” Don't ignore out-of-the-blue issues The take-home message, Lager says, is to pay attention to a change in patterns in your body. "If you're someone who occasionally has some chest discomfort that's mild, transient and occurs in certain predictable patterns, then it's not nearly the same as someone who has new symptoms never felt before,” he says. And if you're prone to indigestion and just ate a spicy meal, the burning feeling in your chest is likely heartburn. But if it comes on out of the blue and the symptoms get worse, especially as you walk around or exercise, “that's a real warning sign that it's not gastrointestinal,” Lager says. Editor's Note: This story, originally published Aug. 6, 2021, has been updated to reflect new information. Rachel Nania is an award-winning health editor and writer at AARP.org, who covers a range of topics including diseases and treatments. More on health
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[Continue](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/) [Cancel](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/) [Health](https://www.aarp.org/health/) # 8 Warning Signs of a 'Silent' Heart Attack That Are Easy to Overlook ## Symptoms can be subtle, but that doesn't mean they're any less dangerous ![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Medical provider using stethoscope to give a woman a heart exam](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_image/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.75.1440.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/health/conditions_treatments/2021/08/1140-heart-exam.jpg) Chaay Tee/Getty Images - [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/) - [Twitter](http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/&related=CreateTheGood&text=8%2520Warning%2520Signs%2520of%2520a%2520%2527Silent%2527%2520Heart%2520Attack%2520That%2520Are%2520Easy%2520to%2520Overlook) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/&title=8%2520Warning%2520Signs%2520of%2520a%2520%2527Silent%2527%2520Heart%2520Attack%2520That%2520Are%2520Easy%2520to%2520Overlook) By Rachel Nania, Updated August 16, 2022 AARP [En español](https://www.aarp.org/espanol/salud/enfermedades-y-tratamientos/info-2021/sintomas-ataque-al-corazon-silencioso.html) Published August 06, 2021 / Updated August 16, 2022 Despite its depiction in the movies, a heart attack doesn't always produce pain or pressure so intense it causes a person to clutch their chest and collapse to the floor. Most people who have a [heart attack](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/heart-attack-survivor-stories/ "what a heart attack feels like") experience a much less dramatic version. And some have no symptoms at all — or symptoms that are so subtle they're mistaken for something else entirely. These so-called silent heart attacks account for about 20 percent of all heart attacks, [according to 2022 statistics](https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052 "american heart association") from the American Heart Association. Some experts estimate that percentage is even higher — closer to 50 percent. [aarp-membership/membership/my-membership]() [Get Your Digital Membership Card Why wait for your card in the mail? Start enjoying benefits now with immediate access to many perks and rewards.](https://secure.aarp.org/applications/user/auth?intcmp=MOJO-EXP-FNDRY-GYC&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fappsec.aarp.org%2Fmem%2Fcardboarding%3Fflow%3D6-a-o-2-t-i-y-r-m-e-s-n-h-xs-p-db-1-d) Members only ### What is a silent heart attack? A heart attack happens when the arteries that carry blood to the heart become blocked, thereby depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. If a person having a heart attack feels pain or pressure, it's because of this blockage, says Eduardo Marban, M.D., executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The same thing happens during a silent heart attack — blocked arteries make it so that oxygen-rich blood can't reach the heart. The only difference is the problem goes unnoticed. “It's not necessarily that there were no symptoms; it may just be that the patient didn't recognize them as heart symptoms and wasn't concerned,” Marban says. ## Symptoms of a silent heart attack Few people actually exhibit no symptoms. But signs of a heart attack can be muted or confused with other conditions. Here's what to look out for: 1. Shortness of breath 2. Weakness or fatigue 3. A general feeling of unease or discomfort 4. Sweating 5. Nausea or vomiting 6. Lightheadedness or dizziness 7. Mild pain in the throat or chest 8. Pain in the back or arms, like a sprained or pulled muscle For example, it's not uncommon for silent heart attacks to be written off as indigestion, a sprained or strained muscle, fatigue or “just feeling run-down,” Marban says. People who later realize they've had a silent heart attack may also recall experiencing shortness of breath at the time, or a general state of discomfort that led to a night of lost sleep, says Robert Lager, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Nausea, sweating, dizziness and an overall feeling of unease are also signs of a silent heart attack. If you experience any of these symptoms, “don't sit around and wonder” what could be wrong. “Time is muscle,” Lager says, referring to the damage that decreased blood flow can inflict on the heart. “The longer one waits to get evaluated, the more likely that there will be irreversible damage.” That said, some people truly experience no symptoms — understated or otherwise — when they have a heart attack. Diabetics who have nerve issues that interfere with pain signals (called neuropathy), for example, are at higher risk for having a literal silent heart attack, Lager says. [Women](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/women-heart-attacks/ "why heart attacks are different for women") and older adults are also more likely to have an event without warning signs. ### Is it a heart attack… or something else? Silent heart attacks don’t just fool patients; they can be misdiagnosed in health care settings too. Shortness of breath may be mistaken for a pulmonary problem, for instance. And pain in the shoulder or arm can be misdiagnosed as an orthopedic issue. “So there are lots of different forms of symptoms that are referred pain from the heart that can be very confusing and sometimes can be misleading,” Lager says. ![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![newsletter-naw-tablet](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/next-action-widgets/newsletter_naw/Newsletter_NAW/health/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/QA_bucket/widgetimages/newsletter_NAW_tablet.jpg) AARP NEWSLETTERS ![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Mujer leyendo tableta](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/next-action-widgets/newsletter_naw/Newsletter_NAW/health/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/container/container/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.png/content/dam/aarp/QA_bucket/widgetimages/newsletter_NAW_desktop.png) Get the Your Health newsletter from AARP Sign up for the latest health news, fitness and nutrition updates and more\! [See All Newsletters](https://www.aarp.org/newsletters/) [Privacy Hub](https://www.aarp.org/privacy/ "privacy hub link") ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT - [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/) - [Twitter](http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/&related=CreateTheGood&text=8%2520Warning%2520Signs%2520of%2520a%2520%2527Silent%2527%2520Heart%2520Attack%2520That%2520Are%2520Easy%2520to%2520Overlook) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/&title=8%2520Warning%2520Signs%2520of%2520a%2520%2527Silent%2527%2520Heart%2520Attack%2520That%2520Are%2520Easy%2520to%2520Overlook) One way to tell if the symptoms you're experiencing are due to a heart attack or another condition is to know that the warning signs of heart trouble are “not positional,” Lager says. This means that the sprain-like pain in your neck and arm won't get better if you stretch it or shake it out. And shortness of breath or sweating won't subside if you take it easy and lie down. "That's a really good rule of thumb,” Lager says. “If you're not sure if you're having a symptom, see if you can manipulate it in some way. Can you press on the chest? Can you change your position? Can you stand up or sit down? Does it make a difference, positionally? Because the heart has no gyroscope; it doesn't know where it is in space. And it doesn't matter if you put the heart upside down or right side up, it's going to give you the same signals if it's in trouble." [Entertainment]() [AARP Streams App Get our free app to watch Movies for Grownups and AARP Theater on your phone, tablet or TV](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/entertainment/aarp-streams-app/) Members only Another thing to keep in mind: Any symptom that results from the loss of oxygen to the heart will generally get worse if you increase demand on the heart. “So if someone has chest discomfort at rest and gets up and walks around, you're increasing the heart's demand for oxygen, so the symptoms usually will get worse if it's a heart issue,” Lager says. The risks factors for silent heart attacks are the same as those for a heart attack with symptoms. The most common include: - Age (for men, 45 and older; for women, 55 and older) - Diabetes - Excess weight - High blood pressure - High cholesterol - Lack of exercise - Prior heart attack - Tobacco use - A family history of heart disease ### The dangers of having a heart attack and not knowing Many people who have had a silent heart attack find out about it after the fact — sometimes months or years later — usually during a routine electrocardiogram, or EKG. Symptoms that arise afterward can also bring patients in to see a health care provider. Lager says people who have suffered a silent heart attack may notice a faster heart rate or increased exercise intolerance, for example. Usually when someone finds out they’ve had a silent heart attack, the damage has already been done. But identifying a past heart attack can help you and your doctor mitigate risks for future cardiac events. After all, a silent heart attack is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, [a 2018 study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109717414380 "heart failure") in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found. It just needs to be on the name of the journal.. It also increases the likelihood of sudden death, stroke and having another heart attack. Dangerous heart arrhythmias are another concern your doctor may monitor for if you had an undetected heart attack in the past. These can develop when parts of the heart muscle are scarred from the loss of blood. And another worry: Because “our blood gets thicker under stress,” Lager says, blood clots are also more likely to crop up after you've had a heart attack. "Once the diagnosis is made, either of a recognized heart attack or a silent heart attack, everything is put into a higher risk category in terms of the complications that can ensue,” Marban says. “So it's not something that we should just consider a curiosity and do nothing about. … Detecting a heart attack and acknowledging it is the first step towards putting the patient back on the kind of effective therapy that we know is helpful.” [![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![limited-time flash sale yellow gradient background with light rays](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/next-action-widgets/membership-promo-naw/default/anonymous/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/members/2026/q1-membership-sale-2026/1140x655-fy26-q1-flashsale.jpg)](https://join.aarp.org/ORGARTJ?&defaultoffer=60&rd%252060) Flash Sale — AARP Membership Offer Join AARP for only \$11 per year with a 5-year membership. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. [Join AARP](https://join.aarp.org/ORGARTJ?&defaultoffer=60&rd%252060) ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT ### Don't ignore out-of-the-blue issues The take-home message, Lager says, is to pay attention to a change in patterns in your body. "If you're someone who occasionally has some chest discomfort that's mild, transient and occurs in certain predictable patterns, then it's not nearly the same as someone who has new symptoms never felt before,” he says. And if you're prone to indigestion and just ate a spicy meal, the burning feeling in your chest is likely heartburn. But if it comes on out of the blue and the symptoms get worse, especially as you walk around or exercise, “that's a real warning sign that it's not gastrointestinal,” Lager says. Editor's Note: This story, originally published Aug. 6, 2021, has been updated to reflect new information. Rachel Nania is an award-winning health editor and writer at AARP.org, who covers a range of topics including diseases and treatments. 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[See All Newsletters](https://www.aarp.org/newsletters/) [Privacy Hub](https://www.aarp.org/privacy/ "privacy hub link") ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT ## Conversation Follow this conversation to be notified when new comments are postedfollow Log in \\| Register ![Jump to log in or sign Up](https://cdn.viafoura.net/assets/defaultavatar.913f94a2fa72a280b0374131f1c9b175.png) All Comments68 NEWEST 0 ### All Comments 1. #### Comment by AARPStacyP. AA AARPStacyP M August 17, 2022 pinned What are some things you do to help reduce your likelihood of experiencing common risk factors for a heart attack? reply 1 reply 10 share 0 0 older replies show older replies 1. #### Comment by HomerN291465. Ho HomerN291465 December 17, 2025 I wanted to share my heart attack experience from 16 days ago. I’m a 61 yr old female, I woke up to heart burn and burning sensation in left arm . I took some tums, went back to sleep. When I awoke later I felt ok. Reached for coffee and heartburn started back up. Then came pressure, left arm, neck pain . Managed to get to ER and praise God survived this. They did heart cath, only found one artery that had 40 percent blockage. No stent. Kept me 4 days and sent me home with meds. I do not have high Blood Pressure, diabetes. I have been on meds for high cholesterol and a smoker. Needless to say I am not smoking . This is a life changer for sure I just thought I would share this experience and any advice or questions , I appreciate. Read more reply 0 share report 0 0 older replies show older replies 2. #### Comment by Yetsi80. Ye Yetsi80 December 9, 2025 So, I am not feeling good right now and I’m not sure what it is that I am feeling. I was thinking I’m having some sort of a heart attack or something LOL but I have been diagnosed with extreme anxiety so IDK but it started after I had to break up my 13 year old twin boys :’( The left side of my chest hurts slightly beneath my breast, my throat is feeling weird when I breathe, my lower back hurts and not to mention my neck. It’s just kind of weird because I’m experiencing it all at once. Read more reply 0 share report 0 0 older replies show older replies 3. #### Comment by JuanG511140. Ju JuanG511140 October 4, 2025 The last 3 days I’ve had pain in the left side of my chest and makes my left arm Hurt as well, I break into a small Sweat and then it goes away reply 0 share report 0 0 older replies show older replies 4. #### Comment by JoeH396807. Jo JoeH396807 September 27, 2025 On occasions, at night, I will get a dull aching in my jaw/s, accompanied with pounding, erratic heart beat beating. 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Readable Markdown	8 Warning Signs of a 'Silent' Heart Attack That Are Easy to Overlook Symptoms can be subtle, but that doesn't mean they're any less dangerous ![](https://cdn.aarp.net/etc/uxdia/images/uxdia-spinner.svg) ![Medical provider using stethoscope to give a woman a heart exam](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/health/conditions-treatments/silent-heart-attack/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_image/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.75.1440.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/health/conditions_treatments/2021/08/1140-heart-exam.jpg) Chaay Tee/Getty Images By Rachel Nania, AARP Published August 06, 2021 / Updated August 16, 2022 Despite its depiction in the movies, a heart attack doesn't always produce pain or pressure so intense it causes a person to clutch their chest and collapse to the floor. Most people who have a [heart attack](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/heart-attack-survivor-stories/ "what a heart attack feels like") experience a much less dramatic version. And some have no symptoms at all — or symptoms that are so subtle they're mistaken for something else entirely. These so-called silent heart attacks account for about 20 percent of all heart attacks, [according to 2022 statistics](https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052 "american heart association") from the American Heart Association. Some experts estimate that percentage is even higher — closer to 50 percent. ### What is a silent heart attack? A heart attack happens when the arteries that carry blood to the heart become blocked, thereby depriving the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. If a person having a heart attack feels pain or pressure, it's because of this blockage, says Eduardo Marban, M.D., executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The same thing happens during a silent heart attack — blocked arteries make it so that oxygen-rich blood can't reach the heart. The only difference is the problem goes unnoticed. “It's not necessarily that there were no symptoms; it may just be that the patient didn't recognize them as heart symptoms and wasn't concerned,” Marban says. Few people actually exhibit no symptoms. But signs of a heart attack can be muted or confused with other conditions. Here's what to look out for: 1. Shortness of breath 2. Weakness or fatigue 3. A general feeling of unease or discomfort 4. Sweating 5. Nausea or vomiting 6. Lightheadedness or dizziness 7. Mild pain in the throat or chest 8. Pain in the back or arms, like a sprained or pulled muscle For example, it's not uncommon for silent heart attacks to be written off as indigestion, a sprained or strained muscle, fatigue or “just feeling run-down,” Marban says. People who later realize they've had a silent heart attack may also recall experiencing shortness of breath at the time, or a general state of discomfort that led to a night of lost sleep, says Robert Lager, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Nausea, sweating, dizziness and an overall feeling of unease are also signs of a silent heart attack. If you experience any of these symptoms, “don't sit around and wonder” what could be wrong. “Time is muscle,” Lager says, referring to the damage that decreased blood flow can inflict on the heart. “The longer one waits to get evaluated, the more likely that there will be irreversible damage.” That said, some people truly experience no symptoms — understated or otherwise — when they have a heart attack. Diabetics who have nerve issues that interfere with pain signals (called neuropathy), for example, are at higher risk for having a literal silent heart attack, Lager says. [Women](https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/women-heart-attacks/ "why heart attacks are different for women") and older adults are also more likely to have an event without warning signs. ### Is it a heart attack… or something else? Silent heart attacks don’t just fool patients; they can be misdiagnosed in health care settings too. Shortness of breath may be mistaken for a pulmonary problem, for instance. And pain in the shoulder or arm can be misdiagnosed as an orthopedic issue. “So there are lots of different forms of symptoms that are referred pain from the heart that can be very confusing and sometimes can be misleading,” Lager says. One way to tell if the symptoms you're experiencing are due to a heart attack or another condition is to know that the warning signs of heart trouble are “not positional,” Lager says. This means that the sprain-like pain in your neck and arm won't get better if you stretch it or shake it out. And shortness of breath or sweating won't subside if you take it easy and lie down. "That's a really good rule of thumb,” Lager says. “If you're not sure if you're having a symptom, see if you can manipulate it in some way. Can you press on the chest? Can you change your position? Can you stand up or sit down? Does it make a difference, positionally? Because the heart has no gyroscope; it doesn't know where it is in space. And it doesn't matter if you put the heart upside down or right side up, it's going to give you the same signals if it's in trouble." Another thing to keep in mind: Any symptom that results from the loss of oxygen to the heart will generally get worse if you increase demand on the heart. “So if someone has chest discomfort at rest and gets up and walks around, you're increasing the heart's demand for oxygen, so the symptoms usually will get worse if it's a heart issue,” Lager says. The risks factors for silent heart attacks are the same as those for a heart attack with symptoms. The most common include: - Age (for men, 45 and older; for women, 55 and older) - Diabetes - Excess weight - High blood pressure - High cholesterol - Lack of exercise - Prior heart attack - Tobacco use - A family history of heart disease ### The dangers of having a heart attack and not knowing Many people who have had a silent heart attack find out about it after the fact — sometimes months or years later — usually during a routine electrocardiogram, or EKG. Symptoms that arise afterward can also bring patients in to see a health care provider. Lager says people who have suffered a silent heart attack may notice a faster heart rate or increased exercise intolerance, for example. Usually when someone finds out they’ve had a silent heart attack, the damage has already been done. But identifying a past heart attack can help you and your doctor mitigate risks for future cardiac events. After all, a silent heart attack is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, [a 2018 study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109717414380 "heart failure") in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found. It just needs to be on the name of the journal.. It also increases the likelihood of sudden death, stroke and having another heart attack. Dangerous heart arrhythmias are another concern your doctor may monitor for if you had an undetected heart attack in the past. These can develop when parts of the heart muscle are scarred from the loss of blood. And another worry: Because “our blood gets thicker under stress,” Lager says, blood clots are also more likely to crop up after you've had a heart attack. "Once the diagnosis is made, either of a recognized heart attack or a silent heart attack, everything is put into a higher risk category in terms of the complications that can ensue,” Marban says. “So it's not something that we should just consider a curiosity and do nothing about. … Detecting a heart attack and acknowledging it is the first step towards putting the patient back on the kind of effective therapy that we know is helpful.” ### Don't ignore out-of-the-blue issues The take-home message, Lager says, is to pay attention to a change in patterns in your body. "If you're someone who occasionally has some chest discomfort that's mild, transient and occurs in certain predictable patterns, then it's not nearly the same as someone who has new symptoms never felt before,” he says. And if you're prone to indigestion and just ate a spicy meal, the burning feeling in your chest is likely heartburn. But if it comes on out of the blue and the symptoms get worse, especially as you walk around or exercise, “that's a real warning sign that it's not gastrointestinal,” Lager says. Editor's Note: This story, originally published Aug. 6, 2021, has been updated to reflect new information. Rachel Nania is an award-winning health editor and writer at AARP.org, who covers a range of topics including diseases and treatments. 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