1 / 9A silent heart attack is a heart attack that has few, if any, symptoms or has symptoms not recognized as a heart attack.2 / 9A silent heart attack might not cause chest pain or shortness of breath, which are typically associated with a heart attack.3 / 9People who have a silent heart attack might think they've had heartburn, the flu or a strained chest muscle.4 / 9But a silent heart attack, like any heart attack, involves blockage of blood flow to the heart and possible damage to the heart muscle.5 / 9The risk factors for a silent heart attack are the same as those for a heart attack with symptoms.6 / 9Having a silent heart attack increases the risk of having another heart attack, which could be deadly. Having another heart attack also increases the risk of complications, such as heart failure.7 / 9There are no tests to determine the potential for having a silent heart attack. For those with risk factors, a health care provider can evaluate and treat the risks to reduce the chance of having a silent heart attack. 8 / 9Imaging tests, such as an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram, are the only way to identify a silent heart attack.9 / 9'SMI symptoms can feel so mild, and be so brief, they often get confused for regular discomfort or another less serious problem, and thus men ignore them,' says Dr. Jorge Plutzky, director of the vascular disease prevention program at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.