Some Risky Heart Health Myths

Most people imagine they would know when they are having a 

heart attack. It would be difficult not to recognize symptoms of 

"the big one" – sweating, soreness in the left arm, and sudden, 

disabling chest pain.

But that’s not always the case. Sometimes the signs are much 

more subtle or mimic other conditions.

As with any health issue, knowledge is power. And when your 

heart is on the line, you need all the power you can get.

So here are six major heart health myths and the reality behind 

them.

Myth #1: I would know if I had high blood pressure or 

high cholesterol.

Not unless you get a blood pressure or cholesterol test. That's 

the only way to know if you have high blood pressure 

(hypertension) or unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Risk factors are usually silent, meaning they have no obvious 

associated symptoms.

Hypertension is the silent killer, you are not going to know you 

have it. When high blood pressure presents as a symptom like 

headaches or renal failure, it is more difficult to control at that 

stage. Early treatment is essential to preventing end organ 

damage, which is often irreversible.

The same goes for high cholesterol. A person can be thin and 

in good shape and still have high cholesterol.

.

Myth #2: Heart disease treats men and women the same.

Heart disease can affect the sexes very differently.

This begins with symptoms. Although many people experience 

the classic "elephant sitting on the chest" sensation when they 

have a heart attack, there are also less traditional symptoms, 

and they are more common among women.

In 2003, a study published  examined the symptoms that 515 

women, (average age 66), had experienced before having a 

heart attack. The researchers found that for at least one month 

prior to the acute event 70% of the women experienced  

unusual fatigue, and nearly 50% had weakness, sleep 

disturbance, or shortness of breath. What's more, 43% of the 

women felt no chest pain at the time of their heart attack 

presentation.

Nausea and/or indigestion can also be unusual (atypical) 

symptoms forewarning a heart attack.

Men can have less classic symptoms, but there is a higher 

prevalence with these in women. Older women tend to present 

more like men, with the classic chest pain, which is still the 

overwhelming symptom of a heart attack.

Putting all of this in context is important. Not all unusual 

symptoms mean you have heart disease. But if you have risk 

factors, pay attention to how you feel. New or changing 

symptoms, even if not typical, could be a sign of problems with 

the ticker.

Myth #3: Younger Women Aren't at Risk

One of the most common myths is that women still tend to think 

they are not vulnerable to heart disease. They think it is a 

disease of older women and men. So women in their 40s and 

50s still believe they are safe.

But heart disease is the No. 1 killer of U.S. women, causing 

more than 460,000 deaths annually, not all of which are among 

the elderly.        

Risk factors that contribute to heart disease -- including 

obesity, Type II diabetes, and hypertension -- are showing up 

earlier now in women. As these factors become more common 

at a younger age, heart disease may follow.    

On average, there tends to be a 10-year gap in the age at 

which heart attacks occur in men and women.  Men are more 

likely to get them in their mid-50s and women in their mid-60s.      

This age difference could be due, in part, to oestrogen. It is 

said that  nitrogen has a complex role in the prevention of heart 

disease, but exactly how it works isn't clear.

Myth #4: Exercise is too risky if you have heart disease.

This is almost always false.

After a coronary event, such as a heart attack, people are 

typically encouraged to get right into rehabilitation and start 

working out within a two-week period.

There are really very few people who have significant long-term 

restrictions in terms of never doing exercise.

It is said that exercise reduces the progression of heart 

disease, and makes people with heart disease less likely to 

have a first or recurrent heart attack.

It is recommended starting with 10 minutes of exercise daily 

and increasing it weekly by 10 minutes until they are getting at 

least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days. But your 

doctor should give you guidelines tailored to your particular 

case.

 Myth #5: Aspirin and Omega-3 fatty Acids Are All Good

Most people have heard that aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids 

are good deterrents to heart disease. For the most part, this is 

true, but there are some caveats to their protective benefits.

Dr. recommends taking aspirin for prevention at age 50 for 

men and 65 for women if there are no contraindications.

Aspirin can exacerbate stomach problems and some people 

can have aspirin allergies. Every supplement and medication 

has pros and cons. A young woman’s risk of excessive 

bleeding from taking aspirin may be greater than its potential 

heart benefits.

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for people who 

have already had a heart issue and are trying to prevent 

another. Dr. recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week 

or taking up to three grams of omega-3 fatty acids in the form 

of a daily supplement. The Dr. cautions that higher doses can 

cause excessive bleeding in some people.

Aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids both can cut the risk of blood 

clots, such as those that lead to heart attacks. But you don't 

want to curb your clotting ability too much, or you could be at 

risk of excessive bleeding.

Talk with your doctor before taking any kind of medication or 

supplement. And if you're already taking something, tell your 

doctor. Your doctor needs to note it in your medical records 

and may advise you to stop if you have surgery scheduled.

Myth #6: Once I Have Heart Disease, That's It

Absolutely not. There has been research showing that in some 

cases you may be able to undo the damage -- and that your 

lifestyle is a crucial part of turning the tide.

Exercising, eating a healthy diet containing fruits and 

vegetables, limiting processed foods, not smoking, and 

avoiding second-hand smoke can go a long way toward heart 

disease prevention.

"It is never too late" to treat heart disease. Small lifestyle 

changes are key factors in preventing heart disease and 

controlling risk factors."