Common heart disease myths, decoded

Kanak Kundlani

“Only men have heart issues”, “I’m not worried about heart diseases, I exercise daily” and “I’m too young to start thinking about heart health”. Do these statements sound familiar? If yes, then it’s time we bust some of your myths about heart health. Did you know that heart diseases are one of the major causes of deaths across the world? This fact all the more proves that when it comes to matters of the heart, it is important to get the facts right, because these myths can potentially cost you your life. So, here’s a rundown on common heart disease myths that many of you might still believe, and actual facts to support the information. 

Myth 1: Men are more prone to heart issues than women

While common misconception says that men are more prone to heart issues in the long run, science has something entirely different to say. Studies show that heart disease is the cause of 1 out of every 3 deaths, regardless of the gender. Hence, the probability of women developing heart issues also increases many-fold. A research conducted by WHO also suggests that heart disease is the leading cause of deaths worldwide – among both men and women.

men are more prone to heart issues than women

Myth 2: Good lifestyle guarantees good heart health

Although eating well and exercising are both important for better heart health, none of these lifestyle habits guarantee you a life free from any heart issues. Especially if you take the case of recent incidents that involve fit, young adults suffering from cardiac arrests. In fact, it is recommended that you start getting your cholesterol levels checked as early as when you are 20 years old. 

healthy lifestyle

Myth 3: Having a family history of heart diseases means you cannot prevent it

Having a family history of heart disease only means that you are at an increased risk of the same, which may also be termed as genetic susceptibility. It does not mean that the same is inevitable. There are a number of ways you can follow if you want to reduce this risk. It is not just the genetic susceptibility that puts you at risk but also the unhealthy lifestyle habits like unbalanced diet or lack of exercise as a whole.

In order to stay healthy and prevent this risk, you can follow certain practices. These include following the right diet, exercising on a regular basis, and being distant from smoking or excessive drinking.

Myth 4: Too young to have heart problems

This popular myth surrounds the belief that heart problems are usually developed by people in their old-age. The fact however, is exactly opposite of this. Irrespective of your age, cardiovascular issues can affect you. And by the time you accept this fact, it might be too late. The best way to keep a check on potential heart issues is to get your cholesterol profile tested on a regular basis. A study conducted by Journal of the American College of Cardiology states that there have been incidents of an increased risk of younger individuals suffering from heart disease in recent years.

The most common causes of heart disease in youngsters include certain conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. These conditions lead to the accumulation of plaque in blood vessels even from young ages such as childhood or adolescence.

Did you know? 

As per WHO studies, cardiovascular diseases were the cause of 38% of the 17 million premature deaths, that is, deaths before the age of 70 years.

Myth 5: No symptoms equals no heart issues

More than 50% of people who get diagnosed with severe heart issues show little to no symptoms of developing them. This is because symptoms of heart issues are often misunderstood and very difficult to diagnose because of their overlapping nature with other health issues. 

Media platforms have led us to believe that chest pain is one of the most important symptoms of a heart disease. But other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea and back pain can also be experienced at great intensity. 

We hope this broadened your perspective about heart health.  After all, facts hold more weightage than myths any day!

Conclusion

So these were some of the common heart disease myths and the reasons they stand untrue. It is evident that taking care of your heart is non-negotiable. Diet and exercise do provide a safety blanket around heart diseases in the long run, but relying on experts is always a viable option. TrueBasics Heart Omega-3 is the ultimate cholesterol specialist made from Antarctic Krill Oil. Additionally, it also has 4 heart-strengthening ingredients that help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides by up to 33%.

TrueBasics Heart Omega-3
Kanak Kundlani
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