Seniors may have heart attacks that are never recognized by doctors wearing uniforms scrubs. These are so-called silent heart attacks or silent myocardial infarctions, which can put our elders at dying risks more than what a diagnosed heart attack can.
To finally conclude this study, the authors used expensive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans in over 900 Icelanders between 67 to 93 years old to detect heart trouble. It was found out in the study that 157 had heart attacks in those who had not been diagnosed before compared to those who had been diagnosed wherein 91 had heart attacks. Twenty-one percent of those with diabetes and 14 percent of those without diabetes had unrecognized heart attacks. Therefore, the researchers noted that there are many cases of silent heart attacks in people with diabetes as detected by cardiac MRI.
On the other hand, Dr. Andrew Arai, lead researcher and U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s chief of pulmonary and cardiovascular branch, believes that even though the study was conducted in Iceland, the results would be the same in the United States. According to Dr. Gregg Fonarow, American Heart Association spokesman and cardiology professor at the University of California, prior studies show that myocardial infarctions are not clinically detected.
“This study found a higher prevalence of previously unrecognized heart attacks than described in prior studies,” said Fonarow. He added that silent heart attacks have also adverse long-term prognosis same with clinically recognized heart attacks.
MRI scanners are definitely impressive when it comes to spotting heart disease. However, Dr. Arai said that high-priced test is not recommendable for everybody unless that person has symptoms.
At this moment, there are no clear evidences on who will benefit from such scans and when will the screening test are called for. However, cardiac imaging is the primary step to determine an unrecognized heart attack and keep elders from possible danger.
