Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States and the second in Canada, yet people often think that heart disease is just a natural part of the aging process, or that it’s only a problem for men. But the truth is, heart disease can affect anyone, at any age.
It’s a problem that often goes undiagnosed, and many people are unaware of the risks it poses. We wanted to take some time to dispel some
of the most common heart disease myths so that you never feel misled or confused about your health!
Let’s bust some untruths.
Top Heart Disease Myths
Myth 1: Heart disease is a natural part of aging
Many people believe that heart disease is a natural part of aging, and there’s nothing we can do to prevent it.
This simply isn’t true.
While heart disease does become more common as we age, there are things we can do to reduce our risk. Regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking are all great ways to keep your heart healthy as you age.
Myth 2: Men are more at risk for heart disease than women
Heart disease is often thought of as a “man’s disease” but in actuality, heart disease is a leading killer of both men and women. In fact, when compared to men, nearly as many women die of heart disease each year. Women often have different symptoms of heart disease than men, so it’s important to be aware of both.
For men, heart disease often manifests as chest pain or heart attack. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to experience heart attack symptoms like shortness of breath or nausea.
To learn more, check out our article on the heart disease differences between men and women.
These differences stem from the fact that men and women often have different risk factors for heart disease. Some of these risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, and being overweight. It’s important to be aware of these differences so that you can take steps to protect your heart.
Myth 3: You have to have a family history of heart disease to be at risk
While having a family history of heart disease does increase your risk, it’s not the only factor. Other things like high blood pressure, diabetes, and being overweight can also put you at risk for heart disease. Even if you don’t have a family history of heart disease, you should still take steps to protect your heart.
Myth 4: If you don’t have any symptoms, you’re not at risk for heart disease
Many people think that heart disease is something that only affects people with symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, but heart disease can often be silent – until it’s not. That’s why it’s so important to get regular checkups – even if you feel healthy. Your doctor can check for things like high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are both risk factors for heart disease.
Myth 5: There’s nothing you can do to prevent heart disease
This heart disease myth is one of the scariest.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent heart disease, there are things you can do to reduce your risk. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are all great ways to keep your heart healthy. If you have a family history of heart disease, you may also want to talk to your doctor about things you can do to reduce your risk.
Heart health doesn’t have to be hard or tedious. Learn what things you can do WHILE READING THIS to help your heart!
Heart disease is a serious problem, but there are things we can do to reduce our risk. That’s why it’s so important to be aware of the truths
and bust common heart disease myths. Even if you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, you can still enjoy your life.
If you think you may be at risk for heart disease, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can evaluate your risk and recommend ways to reduce it. There are many things you can do to protect your heart, and early detection is key. So don’t wait – talk to your doctor today!
