10 myths about heart health you shouldn't believe

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According to the World Health Organization, more and more people are dying from cardiovascular diseases in the world. One of the reasons for the growing statistics is that not all people are fully aware of this disease. There are many mythical versions about how heart disease develops, how it feels, what actions should be taken, and what, on the contrary, should not be done.

Myth #1: You don't need to measure your blood pressure

Many people believe that measuring blood pressure is not the most important thing to do for their own health. They believe that when their blood pressure rises or falls, they will feel that something is wrong with them. But in reality, this is not always the case. Quite often, hypertension occurs without any symptoms. However, this disease can cause serious heart problems.

According to doctors, it is impossible to cope with high blood pressure after headaches and kidney problems started bothering you. After all, there are no obvious signs of illness, but the person's condition can only worsen. It is for this reason that doctors strongly advise to measure blood pressure regularly, especially now that devices for this are available to every family. If the numbers increase, it is necessary to urgently contact specialists.

It is noteworthy that hypertension is a preventive cause of the formation of cardiovascular diseases. To prevent it, you should follow a healthy lifestyle, eat right, and include physical activity in your schedule.

Myth #2: heart diseases are the same in men and women

Cardiovascular diseases cannot occur in the same way in representatives of different sexes. Manifestations of the disease in men and women are different. For example, the symptoms of a heart attack are more typical in men, and the so-called “silent heart attack” often occurs in women of the weaker sex. It occurs without any visible symptoms. Men usually have sleep problems, excessive fatigue, and stress a month before a heart attack. Nevertheless, everyone recommends people to be more attentive to their condition.

Myth #3: the heart hurts on the left side

It is believed that the heart is located on the left (because we hear its beats from this side), which means that pain should also be felt on the left when there are ailments. In fact, the heart is located in the central part of the chest, and the apex is directed to the left, down and forward. This is precisely the reason for such sensations. Most often, the heart does not hurt on the left, but in the center behind the sternum.

Myth #4: the heart hurts

It is believed that the heart hurts, but stabbing pains are not characteristic of the heart. As a rule, this is how the musculoskeletal system responds when there are some problems.

Myth #5: Heart patients cannot do physical education and sports

Many people believe that if you have heart and blood vessel diseases, you should lie on the couch and take care of yourself. Any stress, they say, will affect the condition of this system and worsen its functioning. In this case, a sedentary lifestyle is dangerous. Of course, you shouldn’t run marathons (it can really be dangerous), but you should increase your physical activity. You can walk more, go swimming or do other sports, do exercises in the morning. Remember that there are very few people who are absolutely contraindicated in physical activity. Therefore, such questions should first be addressed to a doctor — he will not only prescribe competent treatment, but also advise on physical education.

Myth No. 6: Validol will save you from all heart problems

No, no, and no again. People are used to taking these medications for chest pain, but it can be dangerous. If you have pain behind the sternum that is pressing or burning and lasts for more than five minutes, you should immediately call an ambulance. And validol is just a mint tablet that has nothing to do with the heart muscle.

Myth #7: Those who are destined to have a heart attack will get one

In fact, most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented. According to experts, all you need to do is change your lifestyle — give up bad habits, increase physical activity, eat right, normalize your weight, and get enough sleep.

Myth #8: You need to take special medications to support your heart

In fact, there are no special “vitamins” for the heart muscle. The heart is able to support itself perfectly. However, pharmaceutical companies and marketers who come up with this nonsense make a good profit from people’s ignorance. To help the heart, you need, as already written above, to change your lifestyle. If you already have heart problems, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe special medications, not just any vitamins. These can be blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, and so on.

Myth #9: Potassium will help the heart

It is believed that the more potassium we eat, the better for our heart. But in fact, an excessive amount of this element can also lead to problems. You just need to adhere to the daily dose of potassium so that not only the heart, but also other parts of the body are in order. So raisins, dried apricots, or bananas in huge quantities, as well as supplements with this component, are unlikely to save you. It would be best to adjust your diet so that it is balanced.

Myth #10: Treat with dietary supplements first

Some mistakenly think that dietary supplements can help with detected heart diseases. And when this does not happen, they start using medications. It is worth understanding that this is just wasted time and lost health. By taking dietary supplements, you simply ignore your diagnosis and spit on your own heart. If you detect heart problems, strictly follow your doctor's recommendations so as not to worsen your own situation.