Heart Attacks: A Different Kind Of Night Terror

It’s a common misconception that when you have a heart attack, you are wide awake and feel all the symptoms in full. A heart attack is plausible during sleep; here is everything you need to know about heart attacks during your nightly rest.

What Goes On During A Heart Attack?

A myocardial infarction, as discussed in medical circles, is commonly known as a heart attack. This blockage occurs due to a build-up of substances forming plaque in the heart’s arteries. When it ruptures, blood clots form, obstructing the blood flow. Lack of blood in the heart can lead it to be damaged or die.

How Can Heart Attacks Happen During Sleep?

Heart attacks can occur at any time when you’re awake or asleep. However, heart attacks that happen during sleep can manifest differently if they show at all. This type of heart attack is referred to as a silent attack. Many people don’t realize that they had a heart attack until they experience complications afterward.

When Do Heart Attacks Happen During Sleep?

Studies have shown that heart attacks are more likely to occur in the early morning hours, such as 3 AM or 4 AM. Hormone and cortisol levels rise during early hours to prepare the body for getting up. However, this change in cortisol levels can invertedly increase blood pressure and heart rate. A heart with complications may not be able to respond well to this additional stress.

Symptoms of Heart Attacks When Asleep

A heart attack during sleep may not have the usual symptoms when awake. You can expect these symptoms if you suffer a heart attack during sleep:

1. Chest Pain:
   If a feeling of unusual pain in the chest wakes you up. This pain could manifest in the form of pressure, squeezing, or pain in the heart’s area. Chest pain that wakes someone up is usually mistaken for indigestion or other discomfort.
2. Difficulty Breathing:
   If you wake up with shortness of breath and feel like there’s a lack of oxygen. This symptom is an indicator of a heart attack during sleep.
3. Unusual Tiredness:
   Waking up after a full night’s rest and still feeling exhausted is not normal. It could be a symptom of suffering a heart attack during sleeping hours. This symptom should be specially noted for women, as it’s more common for them.
4. Indigestion:
   Experiencing heartburn, nausea, or indigestion can be mistaken for stomach issues. However, it’s also a symptom associated with a heart attack.
5. Body Pain:
   A common indicator of a heart attack during sleep is discomfort in other areas of the body away from the heart. This could be the arms, jaw, neck, stomach, or other areas.

Why Are Silent Heart Attacks Worrying?

Without the normal symptoms of a heart attack, the body can not signal for help when essential parts of the heart are compromised. Silent heart attacks can go undetected and cause significant heart damage over time.

People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from a silent heart attack than others. The symptoms of a silent heart attack are subtle, but they include:

• Unexplained Fatigue
• Unease and Discomfort
• Anxiety
• Poor sleep

What’s Next?

If you, or someone you know, is showing unusual signs that indicate heart attacks during sleep. It’s important to act quickly and get medical help immediately. Prevent the loss of life by not prolonging the issue. Contact us at Healthy Living Heart and Vein for an appointment that might save your life. Schedule a consultation now for a diagnosis and treatment plan by dialing (936) 978-0466.