A ‘Mild Heart Attack’ Is Still a Big Deal: Here’s What You Need To Know

You’ve probably heard people say they’ve had a “mild heart attack” before. But what exactly is a mild heart attack, and what does it mean for your health going forward?

Despite the term, mild heart attacks are no small thing. Cardiologist Jacqueline Tamis-Holland, MD, explains what they are, why they happen and why it’s important to take them seriously.

What is a mild heart attack?

A “mild heart attack” is a term physicians use to describe heart attacks that only partially block the blood flow to your heart — unlike the full-blown variety, which happens when a blood vessel is completely blocked. They’re still major medical emergencies that limit the supply of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle, causing damage. But they may affect a smaller portion of your heart — or cause less damage — than a “major” heart attack.

“If you’re told you had a mild heart attack, it probably means your heart didn’t suffer much damage and still pumps normally,” Dr. Tamis-Holland says. “But even a mild heart attack suggests an underlying cardiovascular issue that needs to be addressed.”

There are several different types of heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarctions. A mild heart attack is often due to a NSTEMI, which is most commonly a result of a severe blockage in one or more arteries of the heart. A large heart attack is typically a result of a STEMI.

What a mild heart attack feels like

A mild heart attack can cause a wide range of symptoms. Similar to a larger heart attack, a mild heart attack can cause chest pain or pressure or shortness of breath. But it could also cause no symptoms at all. And some signs — like an aching jaw, nausea or fatigue — can be hard to interpret.

Call emergency services if you’re experiencing several of the following sensations, all of which could indicate a mild heart attack:

• Chest pain, pressure or tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in your arm, jaw, neck or back
• Sudden, excessive sweating
• Fatigue or weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting

You can’t predict the outcome of a heart attack based on its symptoms. It’s important to trust your gut and act fast if you think something isn’t right.

“The sooner you get emergency care, the better the chances of minimal damage to your heart,” Dr. Tami-Holland emphasizes.

What causes them to happen?

Mild heart attacks can happen for a whole host of reasons, but the result is the same: Your heart isn’t getting the blood and oxygen it needs to function properly.

“Once emergency workers determine you’ve had a mild heart attack, they’ll need to figure out what caused the blockage,” Dr. Tamis-Holland explains. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common culprit.

While mild heart attacks of the NSTEMI type often look and feel like major heart attacks, the same can’t be said of silent heart attacks. Some of them don’t throw up any red flags at all, while others cause physical issues you’re more likely to associate with a bad case of the flu or indigestion.

“It’s not unusual to diagnose a silent heart attack weeks or months after the fact,” she continues. “The problem is, without treatment, the damage may continue to compound. If your provider says you had a mild heart attack, you either caught it early or were lucky enough to escape with minimal damage.”

Treatment and recovery

If you go to the ER with heart attack symptoms, treatment may not start immediately. Emergency medicine providers will likely run tests first to confirm that you had — or are having — a mild heart attack. Because you can’t always tell the type of heart attack based on the symptoms, doctors first do an ECG to rule out a STEMI. If the ECG doesn’t suggest a STEMI, doctors will then:

• Examine your blood for enzymes that indicate there’s been damage to your heart muscle. (This would confirm an NSTEMI diagnosis.)
• Perform a noninvasive echocardiogram to see how well your heart is pumping.
• Do an invasive evaluation to look for blockages in the heart arteries.

Based on what they find, they’ll determine the best treatment option for you.

Be aware: It may take several hours to find out whether you’ve had a heart attack, its severity and what kind of medications or procedures you need. But don’t let the thought of spending several hours in the ER discourage you from seeking care. Dr. Tamis-Holland advises that it’s much wiser to err on the safe side. Mild or not, a heart attack is a life-threatening emergency that needs treatment.

“It’s better you spend several hours in the ER than learn later that the damage has been done, and your heart can’t be fixed,” she stresses.

Why you should still take it seriously

Having a heart attack of any kind raises your risk for future cardiac events. So, it’s important to treat mild heart attacks like the life-changing events they are.

But that doesn’t mean you need to live in fear. Together with your physician, you’ll map out your recovery and rehabilitation process. That plan will likely include medications, lifestyle modifications and mental health support to help you come to terms with what happened.

With time, patience and a little luck, you’ll emerge from the experience with a better understanding of heart health.