17 February 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : A recent medical case involving a 37-year-old woman has drawn attention to a little-understood but potentially life-threatening condition: the silent heart attack. Despite having a blood pressure reading of 130/70 mmHg, a pulse rate of 86, and a reportedly normal ECG, the woman was later diagnosed with a myocardial infarction—commonly known as a heart attack—without the classic warning signs.
The case has raised important questions about how heart attacks can present differently in women, especially younger women, and why standard tests may not always capture the full picture.
What Is a Silent Heart Attack?
A silent heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, causing damage, but without the dramatic symptoms most people associate with heart attacks—such as severe chest pain or collapse. In many cases, symptoms are mild, vague, or mistaken for stress, acidity, or fatigue.
Doctors say silent heart attacks are more common in women, people with diabetes, and younger patients than previously believed.
Why Normal Vitals Can Be Misleading
Blood pressure, pulse, and ECG readings reflect the body’s condition at a specific moment. In silent heart attacks:
- BP may remain normal, especially in early or small-area infarctions
- Pulse can be within acceptable range
- ECG may appear normal, particularly if the affected heart area is small or if changes are transient
In such cases, diagnosis often requires blood tests for cardiac enzymes (like troponin) or advanced imaging such as echocardiography or coronary angiography.
Subtle Symptoms Women Often Ignore
Cardiologists warn that women’s heart attack symptoms frequently differ from the “classic” male pattern. The following subtle signs are commonly reported in silent or atypical heart attacks:
1. Unusual Fatigue
Sudden, unexplained exhaustion—even after adequate rest—is one of the most common early signs. Many women describe feeling “drained” or “heavy” for days.
2. Shortness of Breath
Breathlessness during routine activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even talking can indicate reduced heart function.
3. Upper Back, Neck, or Jaw Pain
Instead of chest pain, discomfort may appear in the back, shoulders, neck, or jaw. It is often dull, burning, or pressure-like rather than sharp.
4. Indigestion or Nausea
Heart-related pain is frequently mistaken for acidity, gas, or food poisoning. Persistent nausea without a clear cause should raise concern.
5. Mild Chest Discomfort
Rather than severe pain, women may feel tightness, fullness, or pressure that comes and goes and doesn’t feel alarming.
6. Anxiety or Sense of Doom
Some patients report sudden anxiety, restlessness, or an unexplained feeling that “something is wrong,” even before physical symptoms appear.
7. Cold Sweats or Lightheadedness
Breaking into a sweat without exertion, or feeling dizzy or faint, can be warning signs—especially when combined with other symptoms.
Why Younger Women Are at Risk
Many people assume heart attacks occur only in older adults, but doctors say risk is rising among women in their 30s and 40s due to:
- High stress levels
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking or passive smoke exposure
- Hormonal conditions like PCOS
- Pregnancy-related complications
- Family history of heart disease
Because younger women are considered “low risk,” symptoms are often dismissed or misattributed.
What Doctors Recommend
Medical experts stress that persistent or unexplained symptoms should never be ignored, even if initial tests appear normal. If symptoms continue:
- Ask for cardiac enzyme blood tests
- Request a repeat ECG or echocardiogram
- Seek a cardiology consultation, especially if risk factors are present
Early detection significantly improves outcomes and reduces long-term heart damage.
A Wake-Up Call
The case of this 37-year-old woman serves as a reminder that heart disease does not always announce itself loudly—particularly in women. Awareness of subtle symptoms can save lives.
As cardiologists often say: listen to your body, not just the numbers on a report.
Summary
A 37-year-old woman suffered a silent heart attack despite normal BP and ECG, highlighting subtle symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, indigestion, and back pain that women often overlook.