Myth: I exercise daily and eat right. I’m not at risk for heart disease.
Truth: If this describes you, good job! Your chances of warding off illness, disease and obesity are better than for someone who never exercises and eats a lot of saturated fats and processed foods.
However, even if you are doing everything right, things can go wrong. If heart disease is prevalent in your family, you want to talk to your primary care provider and make sure you know your baseline blood pressure numbers and note any changes in those numbers or with the way you feel. Basically, know your genetics and make sure your health providers do too.
Myth: Women have far less risk of getting heart disease.
Truth: Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death in women over 65 years of age? It’s a leading cause of death for men too, but since 1984, more women than men have died from heart disease each year.
For this reason, it’s extremely important for women to get your yearly physical exams, so that your primary care provider sees any changes in your cholesterol and blood pressure. If there are changes, your provider will find ways to normalize your numbers and reduce your risk of a heart attack. Additionally, post-menopause, there is a significant change in women’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels, so regular evaluation is key.
Myth: High blood pressure is normal as you age.
Truth: It’s true that blood pressure tends to rise as you get older, but that doesn’t make it “normal.” Artery walls stiffen with age, making the heart pump harder, which can be dangerous. An overworked heart muscle obviously doesn’t work as well, and this can damage arteries and mean more fat in the artery walls.
Regularly checking your blood pressure is important as we age, particularly if you have a strong predisposition to high blood pressure and heart disease. Even if there’s no family history, your lifestyle choices can affect your blood pressure. If you’re seeing consistently high numbers, talk to your primary care provider about your options for medication and healthy choices.
Myth: I’ve smoked for years. Quitting now won’t help my heart.
Truth: Quitting at any age is better than smoking when it comes to your health. If you quit today, one year from now, your risk for a heart attack is 50% less likely. After 10 years, your risk of heart disease is drastically reduced, as well as getting different types of cancer. There are many resources for helping you quit that can save your life.
Myth: I’m on medicine for high cholesterol, so I don’t need to worry about heart disease.
Truth: Even if you’re taking a statin to control your cholesterol, you need to make healthy choices when it comes to the food you eat. If you eat foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats, your medication will work far less effectively. It’s important to maintain a healthy diet and avoid high cholesterol, even when taking a statin.
Myth: If I’m diagnosed with heart disease, I can have surgery, and it will go away.
Truth: The advances in procedures to relieve chest pain and improve your life are quite amazing. However, even if you have a stent or bypass surgery, those procedures do not eradicate the fact you have heart disease. After these types of surgery, it’s more important than ever to eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise, quit smoking and reduce your stress.
If you notice changes in your blood pressure, have symptoms potentially related to your heart or have a strong genetic history of heart disease, find a cardiologist near you.
This blog was medically reviewed by a MercyOne Heart and Cardiovascular provider.
