Feeling fine after a heart attack does not mean arteries are clear, doctors warn

Feeling better after a heart attack can make a person think the worst is over, but being free of chest pain does not always mean the heart arteries are clear. In some cases, a serious blockage can still be present even when a person feels completely normal. Dr Aseem Dhall, Director at ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, explains that some people may feel completely normal after a heart attack yet still have a serious blockage in one or more heart arteries. A heart attack usually happens when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is reduced or blocked. The symptoms may settle after the immediate event, but that does not mean the underlying narrowing in the artery has disappeared. In some people, blood flow may improve naturally after a clot changes, but this does not mean the coronary arteries are free of disease. Other arteries may also have narrowing that has not caused noticeable symptoms yet. Because of this, how a person feels is not enough to decide if their heart is at low risk.

Follow-Up

Follow-up evaluation helps doctors check the damage from the heart attack and the state of the coronary arteries. Depending on the patient, this can involve an ECG, blood tests, an echocardiogram, stress testing, or coronary angiography. The results help doctors decide if medicines are enough or if a procedure like angioplasty is needed. This choice depends on the severity and location of the blockage, symptoms, heart function, and the overall risk of future problems.

Risks

An untreated blockage keeps restricting blood and oxygen supply to the heart. Depending on where it is and how bad it is, it can raise the risk of another heart attack, worsening heart function, heart failure, or abnormal heart rhythms. Ignoring a significant blockage can lead to sudden cardiac complications in the future.

Context

Heart attacks remain a leading health concern globally, requiring careful long-term medical management even after initial recovery. Doctors rely on diagnostic tests because physical symptoms alone cannot reveal hidden problems inside blood vessels.