Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

Which type of heart attack is extremely common in the elderly?

1. Silent heart attack

2. Stemi heart attack

3. Transmural heart attack

4. Unstable angina

The correct answer is: Silent heart attack

The silent heart attack is particularly prevalent among the elderly due to several factors associated with aging and the presentation of symptoms. In older adults, typical heart attack symptoms such as chest pain may not be evident, and they might experience more vague signals like fatigue, shortness of breath, or feelings of malaise instead. This lack of clear symptoms makes them less likely to seek immediate medical attention, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, the elderly often have a higher incidence of other conditions, such as diabetes, which can further mask the classic signs of a heart attack. Hence, many of these individuals may not recognize that they are experiencing a heart attack at all, contributing to the classification of it as "silent". Understanding this prevalence is crucial for EMTs and health care providers to ensure they properly assess and manage older patients who may be at risk.