4 Bringing health care news to your home It’s easy to find plenty of myths about heart health. Maybe you’ve read some of them and wondered if they’re true. These misconceptions can have serious consequences, causing people to ignore the warning signs of heart disease. For your heart’s sake, don’t believe them. Here are some common myths about heart health, along with the facts you need to know: MYTH: I’ll know it if I have heart disease. FACT: The first sign of heart disease for many people is a heart attack. Some factors that contribute to heart disease and heart attacks — such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol — often don’t cause symptoms. That’s why it’s important to see your doctor and undergo recommended screenings for these and other heart disease risk factors. When you know where you stand, you can take charge of your heart health. MYTH: I’m too young for heart disease. FACT: People of all ages can have heart problems. While your risk for heart disease increases the older you get, being young doesn’t make you immune. For example, many people are born with heart conditions or have a family history of early heart disease. You can’t change your family history, but you can take steps at any age to keep your heart healthy. Among them: don’t smoke; control your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar; eat a wellbalanced diet low in artery-clogging saturated fat; exercise regularly; and maintain a healthy weight. MYTH: Women don’t have to worry about heart disease. FACT: About one in five U.S. women dies from heart disease. It’s the leading killer of both women and men and is a bigger threat to women than breast cancer. MYTH: Heart attacks always involve intense chest pain. FACT: Chest discomfort is a common symptom. But it’s not the only one, and it may be mild. Other potential heart attack symptoms include shortness of breath; nausea; heartburn; light-headedness; or discomfort felt in one or both arms, the jaw, neck, or back. If you suspect you or someone else might be having a heart attack, call 911. MYTH: People who have had a heart attack shouldn’t exercise. FACT: Physical activity is an important part of heart attack recovery. Along with other lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercise may help you live longer. After a heart attack, it’s important to choose activities that are right for you in a supervised setting, such as cardiac rehabilitation. If you have had a heart attack or another heart problem, ask your doctor about joining a cardiac rehab program where you can learn to exercise and take care of your heart safely. Sources: American Heart Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Your heart is in good hands Columbus Community Hospital offers high-quality heart health and treatment services. To learn more, visit columbushosp.org or call one of the numbers below. Columbus Cardiology Clinic 4508 38th St., Suite 210 columbuscardiology.org 402-562-4835 Cardiac catheterization lab Columbus Community Hospital 4600 38th St. 402-564-7118 Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation department Columbus Community Hospital 4600 38th St. 402-562-3344 Heart disease myths exposed
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