Heart Health

The danger of a "silent" heart attack

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
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Up to half of all heart attacks may go unrecognized — and they are linked to an increased risk of stroke.

Heart attacks don’t always cause the dramatic symptoms depicted on TV shows, which often show a middle-aged man clutching his chest in pain. Sometimes, the symptoms are far more subtle, such as unexplained fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, or nausea (see "Is it a heart attack?").

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About the Author

photo of Julie Corliss

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Julie Corliss is the executive editor of the Harvard Heart Letter. Before working at Harvard, she was a medical writer and editor at HealthNews, a consumer newsletter affiliated with The New England Journal of Medicine. She … See Full Bio
View all posts by Julie Corliss
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