10 Myths About Heart Disease

10 MYTHS ABOUT HEART DISEASE For many of us, we face the common misconceptions associated with heart health and disease. We assume that most heart diseases only tend to happen to the elderly or our high-blood pressured neighbor. However, this couldn't be further from the actual truth, which is that heart disease can affect anyone, regardless of age and those who eat healthily. We need to take priority and educate ourselves of the myths related to cardiovascular health. Now let's take a deeper look at 10 myths surrounding heart disease. 1. HEART DISEASE AFFECTS MEN AND WOMEN THE SAME WAY. Both men and women experience heart disease in very different ways. Starting with symptoms such as a tight chest when they are suffering a heart attack. There also tends to be less traditional traits that research has found more common amongst women, such as shortness of breath and weakness. Men tend to have less classic symptoms. However, it is crucial to pay attention to the way you feel and look for new or changing symptoms. 2.I AM TOO YOUNG TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT HEART DISEASE. The way that you live your life now will affect your chances of cardiovascular diseases in the future. With obesity and other risk factors becoming more common at a younger age, living a healthier lifestyle starts as early as adolescence and childhood. 3. HEART DISEASE ACTIVELY RUNS IN MY FAMILY; THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. Those with a family history of heart disease remain at a higher risk. However, there are many ways to reduce your chance considerably. Start by getting organized and putting together a strategy to keep your heart healthy through tactics such as eating well, remaining active, and retaining a healthy weight. 4. YOU NEED TO TAKE IT EASY IF YOU HAVE HEART DISEASE. For those who have heart disease, remaining inactive can lead to blood clots in your legs and lead to a decline in overall physical health. By staying physically active with heart disease, this helps improve blood flow to the brain and internal organs, as well as strengthen the heart muscle. 5. I DON'T NEED TO GET MY CHOLESTEROL CHECKED OUT UNTIL IM IN MY 30'S. It is recommended that everyone start to get their cholesterol checked at age 20. With that, if your family has a history of heart disease, starting even earlier is highly encouraged. 6. ONCE I HAVE HEART DISEASE, I WILL ALWAYS HAVE HEART DISEASE. This proves to be extremely false. Research has been suggesting that in some cases, there may be a possibility to undo the damage. This comes with a lifestyle consisting of healthy eating, no smoking, and limiting your intake of processed foods. 7. WHEN HAVING A HEART ATTACK, THE MAIN SYMPTOM IS CHEST PAIN. It is recommended that everyone start to get their cholesterol checked at age 20. With that, if your family has a history of heart disease, starting even earlier is highly encouraged. 8. AFTER A HEART ATTACK, YOU SHOULD AVOID EXERCISING. Once your heart begins to heal from a heart attack, you should immediately start a plan to start moving around again. It is recommended to obtain at least 2 and a half hours of moderate intensity physical activity weekly. 9. WHEN YOU'RE OLDER, IT IS OKAY TO HAVE HIGHER BLOOD PRESSURE. With blood pressure being more common as you age, this does not mean that it is right for you. This tends to happen due to artery walls becoming stiff with age, therefore forcing the heart to pump harder causing an overworked heart muscle that becomes less effective. 10. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY TO LOWER RISK OF HEART DISEASE WITH SUPPLEMENTS AND VITAMINS. Vitamins and supplements have a potential to increase your overall health, however they will not prevent heart disease. Since these supplements don't provide all of the nutrients that food does, they may cause more problems. UnityPoint Health www.unitypoint/dubuque/heartdisease