Can and ECG detect a silent heart attack?

Can and ECG detect a silent heart attack?

Yes. In fact most silent heart attacks are detected by an ECG. In the Framingham Heart Study, twenty five percent of the heart attacks were silent, being detected by routine ECG. In a population without such routine screening ECG, silent attacks are often detected by ECG taken for other purposes like life insurance or pre-operative or pre-employment screening. It may be noted that silent heart attacks are not harmless. They cause heart failure as the individual is not aware of his disease and does not take rest or medications as needed. They need full cardiac work up like any other heart attack.