Cardiologist reveals the biggest myth about heart attacks; ‘It doesn’t appear suddenly…’

A cardiologist shared that most heart attacks rarely appear with chest pain (Picture: Pexels)

• Heart disease often develops silently without obvious symptoms.
• Early risk assessment is key, not just waiting for symptoms.
• Regularly review cholesterol, inflammation, and blood pressure trends.

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Heart diseases have become more prevalent than ever. A US cardiologist warned that this is because many people ignore early symptoms, as they don’t seem serious enough. He clarified that most heart attacks rarely appear with chest pain, which is what most people imagine.

Taking to his Instagram account, Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, a California-based cardiologist with over two decades of experience, shared in his new post that he has treated enough patients to know that a heart disease doesn’t appear suddenly, instead it progresses silently.

Unfortunately, most people don’t realise they’re at risk until something dramatic happens and they are forced to visit. “That’s why I don’t believe prevention is about waiting for symptoms. It’s about understanding your risk before a crisis ever has the chance to develop.”

While regular screenings may be helpful, Dr Bhojraj emphasised the importance of going deeper and reviewing important parameters that often get ignored. He asked “When was the last time someone truly reviewed your numbers with you? Not just ordered labs. Not just glanced at a chart. Not just said, “Everything looks okay.””

Also read: 38-year-old physician reverses fatty liver, high bp, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, drops 56 kilos in 18 months

He added that what really matters is looking into cholesterol patterns, inflammation markers, and blood pressure trends. These are the numbers that are telling of how your heart would look like in five, ten, fifteen years from now.

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A post shared by Sanjay Bhojraj, MD | Integrative Cardiologist (@doctorsanjaymd)

The cardiologist shared that emergency cases early in his career, where people said, “I never thought this would happen to me,” changed his approach, as he realised that warning signs were always there. “The risk was building. No one had connected the dots early enough. That’s why I shifted my focus.”

“Today, my work is centred on identifying risk early, explaining it clearly, and intervening before damage is done. A personalised strategy built around your numbers, your physiology, and your long-term health. If you’re unsure where you stand, don’t wait for your body to get louder,” he concluded.

Also read: Doctor says these 3 medicines can save a heart attack patient

FAQs on heart attacks

Q. What is a heart attack?

A heart attack, medically known as Myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually due to a clot in a coronary artery. Without oxygen-rich blood, the heart muscle begins to get damaged.

Q. What are the common symptoms of a heart attack?

Symptoms may include chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness and extreme fatigue.

Q. Do heart attack symptoms differ in women?

Yes. While chest pain is common, women may experience more subtle symptoms such as nausea, breathlessness, fatigue, indigestion-like discomfort or back pain.

Q. What causes a heart attack?

Most heart attacks are caused by coronary artery disease, where fatty deposits (plaque) build up in the arteries supplying blood to the heart.

Q. Who is at risk of having a heart attack?

Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, stress, and a family history of heart disease.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.