As I mentioned in the previous post, I came across some great information about heart disease myths we here in the United States fall for many times. The site link for all 12 heart disease myths was at http://www.heartpoint.com/dozendangers.html
This information is presented by a practicing cardiologist who is the medical Director of HeartPoint. He stated he gets a lot of questions about heart disease. The doctor also said he was consistently surprised how few “facts” have engrained themselves deeply into “common knowledge”. The myths are not only wrong, but are often dangerously misleading to those who choose to believe them. Here are twelve of the most dangerous MYTHS the doctor runs into, and discussions about each one.
Today, we will begin with heart disease myth number 2 and end with myth number 4.
MYTH # 2:
“I’ll know when it’s time to stop smoking . . . I’ll do it when I start to cough or get short of breath.”
THE FACTS
Regardless of how you’re feeling, the time to stop smoking is now, before anything else happens. Coughing is indeed a sign that damage has been done to the breathing tubes (“bronchi”), but many other effects of smoking occur without letting you know until it’s too late. Smoking is well known to cause emphysema and several cancers, but it is also one of the most important factors in the development of blocked arteries. Stopping smoking will not only slow the progression of blockages, but also allow them to improve over time. More importantly, you get immediate benefit — the risk of heart attacks and sudden death decrease by 50% right away.
MYTH# 3:
“My blood pressure (or cholesterol, or blood sugar) is running good on these pills, so I can stop them now.”
THE FACTS
Antibiotics may cure an infection, but problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are only controlled. Medications can indeed be very effective for such control . . . but they only work while you’re taking them. Changes in your lifestyle such as weight loss and exercise may make it possible to lower the dose or even get off of the medicines, but this must be done under the supervision of your doctor.
MYTH # 4:
“That pain can’t be from my heart . . . it isn’t severe enough” (or “it doesn’t go to my left arm”, or “it’s just indigestion”, or any number of others).
THE FACTS
These myths are probably among the most prevalent . . . and the most dangerous. That “little discomfort” in your chest while walking up the stairs may be the warning sign of the heart attack around the corner. The “indigestion” that is “just a little worse than usual” may be the signs of a heart attack in progress, one whose effects could be minimized by prompt therapy. The best time to treat heart disease is before muscle damage occurs. If you’re having a heart attack, dramatic improvements can be made in limiting its effects if you get to the hospital as early as possible. Most medical people are scared of these things too, so they will not think that you are anything but smart to get them checked out early. (For more on the symptoms of a heart attack, check out the link to “Coronary Artery Disease”).
I hope now that you are educated, you will not fall for these heart disease myths!
In the next post, we will uncover heart disease myths 5-7.
To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
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