written by Maya Bryant
Myth: I’m too young to worry about heart disease.
Truth: How you live now affects your risk for heart disease in the future. One in three Americans have heart disease, and heart attack and stroke victims are getting younger. Many young people are developing heart disease recently due to higher rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other disease.
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Myth: I hear that wine is good for the heart, so I can drink as much of it as I want.
Truth: Only drink alcohol in moderation. Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a dramatic increase in blood pressure.
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Myth: People with hypertension (High blood pressure) will experience nervousness, sweating, and difficulty sleeping as symptoms of the disease.
Truth: High blood pressure is a largely symptom-less condition
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Myth: I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and I have been maintaining lower readings, so I can stop taking my medication.
Truth: High blood pressure can be a lifelong disease, always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations with caution.
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Myth: I’ll know if I’m having a heart attack because I will have chest pain.
Truth: Heart attack may only cause subtle symptoms including pain or discomfort in the arms, feeling lightheaded, and shortness of breath. Always call 9-1-1 if you just think that you are having a heart attack.
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Myth: If you have heart disease, you need to take it easy.
Truth: Physical activity helps strengthen the heart. People with heart disease should consult their physician with what physical activity is right for them.
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Heart disease (also known as cardiovascular disease) is the leading cause of death for men and women of the United States. There are different types of heart disease including coronary heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Symptoms these diseases share include: shortness of breath, a faster heartbeat, nausea, sweating, and palpitations. Heart disease can be prevented by changing many lifestyle habits including quitting smoking, lowering cholesterol, controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising.
High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious disease. Although it virtually has no symptoms and is often referred to as the “silent killer”, it can have deadly consequences if not treated. HBP happens when the tissue that makes up the walls of arteries gets stretched beyond its healthy limit due to the force of blood flow being very high. Possible consequences of high blood pressure include: stroke, kidney damage, memory loss, vision loss, and more. HBP is diagnosed in a simple process by a healthcare provider by using an instrument called a sphygmomanometer to measure the systolic pressure (pressure of blood flow from during heartbeats) and diastolic pressure (pressure of blood flow between heartbeats).
Source: heart.org
