World Heart Day 2021: Cardiologist Busts Popular Heart Disease Myths

The heart is one of the most important organs of our body. It is an organ in the middle of our circulation system that pumps blood around the body as it beats. Any indication of a cardiac problem should be taken seriously because it is associated with your lifespan and survival.

A healthy heart is vital to overall good health hence everyone (including the farming community) must take proper care of their heart.

To avoid heart disease, it is necessary to eat well, exercise, eliminate smoking and drinking and avoid junk food.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of heart and blood vessel disorders that include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart attacks and strokes account for more than four out of every five CVD fatalities, with one-third of these deaths occurring in people under the age of 70.

Every year on September 29, World Heart Day is observed to raise awareness about cardiovascular illnesses and to minimize the worldwide disease burden.

Heart health has taken on new relevance in the Covid era due to an increase in abrupt heart attacks, which affects people between 40-50 years of age. A poor lifestyle, an unhealthy food, excessive smoking, or a family history of heart disease may all be contributing factors to the rise in heart disease among young people.

It is high time to adopt a healthy lifestyle to ensure that our hearts are not affected in any manner. Many people believe that heart disease primarily affects the elderly or those over the age of 50, but the fact is that it may hit at any age, from childhood to early twenties.

On the occasion of World Heart Day 2021, let’s discuss some common myths on heart diseases:

Myth 1: Young people do not need to worry about heart disease. People above the age of 50 are more likely to get heart disease

Fact: Heart disease is no longer only influenced by age. They can also occur in young adults. Plaque can begin to accumulate in the arteries as early as childhood and adolescence, eventually leading to blocked arteries. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are two variables that might cause heart disease in young and middle-aged people.

Myth 2: Iam young. I don't mind eating junk food. I don't need any workout because I am in excellent physical condition

Fact: Young adults are at risk from unhealthy foods and an inactive lifestyle. Young people should be aware that how they live today will have a significant impact on their risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.

Myth 3: I have diabetes but it is well controlled, therefore it cannot affect my heart

Fact: Taking diabetic medication and keeping it under control can help lower the risk of heart disease. However, once you've been diagnosed with diabetes, you're at an elevated risk of heart disease for the rest of your life. 

The simple reason for this is that the risk factors that contribute to diabetes also increase the risk of heart disease. High blood pressure, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking are all common risk factors.

Myth 4: High cholesterol does not develop in childhood. At least, I should be middle aged to get my cholesterol levels tested

Fact: Starting at the age of 20, it is advised that you have your cholesterol tested in every 5 years. If your family has a history of heart disease, it's a good idea to start getting a cholesterol test even sooner. Children from these families may have elevated cholesterol levels, putting them at a higher risk of developing heart disease as adults.

Myth 5: I can't do anything to avoid heart disease because it runs in my family and we have a long family history of cardiac diseases

Fact: People with a family history of heart disease are always at a higher risk of having cardiac problems, but by selecting a healthy lifestyle, they may significantly lower this risk and protect themselves from getting cardiac diseases for the rest of their lives.

Active lifestyle, cholesterol control, blood pressure management, blood sugar control, quitting smoking, and keeping a healthy weight are some of the factors that can protect a person against heart disease even if he or she has a strong family history of cardiovascular disease.