It’s no secret that heart health is a major concern. Cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of death around the world. While that may seem intimidating, there are steps we can take to lower our risk of heart attack and stroke. However, there is a lot of misinformation out there. For American Heart Month, we’re breaking down some of the most common myths that circulate about the subject.
Myth: Vitamins and supplements will help your heart health.
Your diet can help reduce your risk of heart disease. For example, the unsaturated fatty acids in seafood reduce inflammation and lower triglyceride levels. It’s commonly thought that taking certain vitamins or supplements, like omega-3 or fish oil, can have the same effect. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, a major review of studies found no link between the supplements and heart disease after looking at almost 80,000 patients. While it’s unlikely they hurt, you’re better off improving your diet than focusing on supplements.
Myth: A heart attack is always recognizable because of chest pain.
While chest pain is common, there are other more subtle heart attack symptoms. These include shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, and pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, neck or back.
Myth: Everyone has high blood pressure when they’re older—you don’t need to worry about it.
It is true that blood pressure rises with age. Artery walls naturally begin to stiffen, which in turn means your heart has to work harder. An increased risk for heart attack and stroke happens because of damage to the arteries and the heart muscle becoming less effective. But just because your arteries change with age doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take steps to regulate your blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Myth: If your heart is beating really fast, it must be a heart attack.
Your heart will beat at various speeds under normal circumstances. For example, your heart rate will increase during exercise and slow when you’re sleeping. It also can increase if you’re feeling excited. Most of the time these changes are nothing to worry about. However, they can be a sign of arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat. Sometimes, this condition is harmless, but in severe cases, it can impact the heart’s function and needs to be addressed.
Myth: If you have heart disease, eat as little fat as possible.
Not all fats are created equal. It is true that saturated and trans fats are bad for your heart health. Other fats, however, are beneficial. These include the unsaturated fats found in vegetables, nuts and fish—in fact, they can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Myth: Heart disease impacts men more than women.
For more than 40 years, heart disease has killed more women than men annually. It’s the leading cause of death in both women and men over age 65.
Myth: Due to genetics heart disease is inevitable.
Family history does play a role in your risk of developing heart disease, but there are lifestyle factors and other changes that can reduce that risk significantly. Make sure you are keeping active, checking your cholesterol, improving your diet, managing blood pressure, sleeping well, monitoring stress and maintaining a healthy weight.
Myth: If you have heart disease, don’t exert yourself and avoid exercise.
The reality is being sedentary is more harmful to your heart health. It’s important to get moving again as soon as your doctor allows it. In most cases, moderate-intensity activity is both safe and beneficial, and heart attack survivors who are regularly physically active live longer than those who aren’t, according to the American Heart Association. It’s recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Consult with your health care professional to develop a plan that works with your needs and limitations.
Myth: Quitting smoking won’t reduce your risk of heart disease—the damage has been done.
No matter how long you’ve smoked, it is beneficial to quit. According to Harvard Health, regardless of how many cigarettes you’ve smoked in your life, the chance of having a heart attack will drop by 50% within a year of quitting. In 10 years, your risk will be the same as if you never smoked.
Myth: You don’t have to worry about heart disease until you’re older.
Your current lifestyle will impact your health later, and that includes heart health. Plaque can start building up in eateries as early as childhood. With almost half of U.S. adults over the age of 20 living with cardiovascular disease, not all of them are senior citizens. Problems also are found in young and middle-aged people.
Sources: American Heart Association, Harvard Health, Mayo Clinic
