Myths About Heart Disease
No one wants to have a heart attack, yet you may not be protecting yourself as well as you could be. You might have bought into some comforting myths that lead you to think you don't need to worry about heart disease. While the truth may be more disturbing, it's important to know how all the facts pertain to you.
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Significance
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It's important to be familiar with the myths about heart disease because most of them have an element of truth. For example, a common myth is that those with heart disease will have a family history of heart disease. According to Dr. James Stein of the Preventive Cardiology Program at the University of Wisconsin hospital, that's true of 47 percent of people with heart disease. So if you have a family history, you need to be aware of it as a risk factor. At the same time, don't use the myth as an excuse not to worry about your heart health.
Common Myths
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Similar to feeling safe if you have no family history of heart disease, other common myths can keep you from taking care of your heart. You may think you're safe because you have low blood pressure. You may believe you don't have to worry about heart disease until you're older. You may think that if you're thin and healthy, you don't need to give your heart a second thought.
You may believe you've taken steps that have solved your problem. You brought your cholesterol down, or you started eating healthier, or you started exercising. You drink a glass of red wine each evening. You learned about the warning signs of a heart attack, so you'll be able to recognize one coming on ahead of time.
Truth
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Each of these myths has an element of truth to it, but each of them also has another side. According to Dr. Stein, high or low bood pressure can affect your liklihood of heart disease, but it has to be looked at within the framework of other risk factors. It's true that most heart attacks occur in older people, but not always, and steps taken when you're young can help when you're older. It's also true that more heart attacks occur in obese people, but being fit is no guarantee of heart health.
According to Dr. Tim Johnson--who spoke to ABC News on the subject--taking steps to prevent heart attacks, such as exercise, healthy eating, drinking wine or lowering cholesterol, are important, but they need to fit into an overall health plan, not be used as an excuse to avoid thinking about your heart. And while it's good to be familiar with the warning signs of a heart attack, many strike without warning. You can't depend on having time to get to a hospital.
Dangers
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Heart-disease myths are dangerous because they create a false sense of security and may keep you from talking to your doctor about important issues. It's good to be familiar with the indications of a tendency toward heart disease, but you do yourself a disservice if you believe them wholeheartedly without fitting them into the full picture of your health and lifestyle.
Recommendation
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Discuss your heart health with your doctor. He can help you weigh all the issues involved and decide which myths may or may not apply to you. Together, you can develop a prevention plan that's tailored to your circumstances and increases your chances of a longer, healthier life.
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