A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle is deprived of blood flow, preventing the heart from pumping blood properly. This condition can occur whether you are awake or asleep. Most heart attacks that occur during sleep can be fatal and lead to death.

Causes of heart attacks during sleep

A heart attack can happen at any time, whether you are awake or sound asleep. Many people mistake cardiac arrest for a heart attack, but they are not the same thing.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart muscle suddenly stops beating due to a heart rhythm disturbance, whereas a heart attack is caused by a blockage in the heart's blood vessels.

Not everyone can wake up from a heart attack that happens while they are sleeping. Most people who have a heart attack while asleep die.

About 10% of heart patients can have a heart attack while sleeping, and it usually happens in the morning when there is a surge in catecholamine hormones, which play a role in blood circulation and modulate the central nervous system.

Experts believe that a heart attack during sleep is caused by the tearing of a previously formed atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary artery, resulting in the formation of a blood clot in the blood vessel. As a result, the flow of blood carrying nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle is reduced. This condition is typically characterized by chest pain, also known as heart attack symptoms.

However, there are times when a heart attack occurs without symptoms, which is known as a silent heart attack. Those with a history of heart problems should be aware of this condition because it may trigger a sudden heart attack and cause death.

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack

Aside from sleeping, a heart attack can happen when you're physically and emotionally stressed, doing strenuous physical activity, or being outside in cold weather.

A silent heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest can often go unnoticed, but it is important to be aware of it because it can result in heart damage and failure. Although there are no obvious symptoms, there are several signs of a silent heart attack to keep an eye out for, including:

• Chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes
• Shortness of breath
• Upper-body discomfort
• Mild headache
• Cold sweat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue that can last for several days without explanation

When experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, symptoms can often make you feel like:

• Experience flu-like symptoms
• Feeling muscle pain in the chest or upper back
• Feeling pain in the jaw, arms, or upper back
• Excessive tiredness
• Indigestion

Another indication that may appear is chest pain (angina), which happens when you move. This pain may subside for a while after resting. If the pain does not go away, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Can a heart attack be prevented?

Heart attacks can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercising, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, managing stress effectively, and maintaining an ideal weight. If you are at risk for a heart attack, your doctor may prescribe medication.

Heart attacks can happen to anyone at any time. If you have a history of heart disease, consult a doctor. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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