Truths to Take to Heart - 405 Magazine

Truths to Take to Heart

Expert advice to overturn cardiac myths.

February is American Heart Month, which is intended to raise awareness about heart disease. With so many turning to the internet for advice, it can be difficult to distinguish what information is true, and what is just another viral rumor. We turned to one of 405 Magazine’s Top Docs and cardiologist at Integris Health, Dr. George Madden, for clarification on some of heart health’s biggest myths.

 

Myth:    I am too young to have heart disease.

 

False. “I am seeing all forms of cardiovascular disease present in younger patients,” Madden said. “Generally speaking, Americans have become less healthy over the past two decades, with higher rates of metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, which increase the risk of heart disease at younger ages.”

 

Myth: I would know if I am having a cardiac event.

 

False. While the movies portray a heart attack as sudden, intense chest pain shooting down the left arm, Madden noted it is not always so obvious. “Cardiovascular symptoms can be subtle and mistaken for other common conditions. Someone having a heart attack may notice more of a discomfort, rather than pain, in the chest. Shortness of breath and fatigue can also be presenting symptoms, which are easy to attribute to being out of shape or overweight.” Madden emphasized that this myth often goes hand in hand with the first. “In the younger population, these symptoms are often dismissed. It is much easier to think you are out of shape than it is to think you are having a cardiac event.”

 

Myth: I eat dark chocolate because it is good for my heart.

 

True! Madden said that dark chocolate is beneficial to your heart health. “Dark chocolate, in moderation, has many health benefits. The flavonoids in dark chocolate help lower blood pressure. It also contains other antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and cellular injury through scavenging free radicals in the body. The darker the chocolate with higher cocoa content, the more beneficial.”

 

Myth. No one in my family has heart disease, so I am not at risk.

 

False. Like most health conditions, a family history may increase your risk of heart disease. Even so, traditional risk factors still apply. “Smoking, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes remain significant risk factors for heart disease,” Madden said.

 

To promote heart health, Madden highly recommends the Mediterranean diet. “The Mediterranean diet is the only scientifically studied diet to prevent cardiovascular disease. The diet consists of two servings of fish a week (lake trout, mackerel, sardines, albacore tuna or salmon), nuts, legumes, several servings of vegetables daily and whole grains. I recommend this diet to all patients, but especially if you have a history of cardiovascular disease or significant risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease.”

For additional accurate information on heart health, visit heart.org.  

Interested in learning more about health benefits? Check out our story on Keeping Balance on Your Hormones!