Heart disease affects millions of Americans and remains the leading cause of death for both men and women year after year.
It refers to the serious conditions affecting the heart, its operation and structure, and the many blood vessels, veins and arteries surrounding it.
At CTVS, we work tirelessly to surgically treat the many serious side effects of heart disease, and we aim to ensure everyone knows the facts about this sometimes fatal, but also often preventable condition.
Common Myths Surrounding Heart Disease
Myth # 1: My family has a history of heart disease, so I am destined to suffer from it too.
While you may be at a higher risk for heart disease if someone in your family has had it, you can take preventative measures to give yourself the best chance possible of overcoming it.
Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising, not smoking, limiting stress, and managing other conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can go a long way. Also, get checked by a cardiologist to discuss your family’s history along with your own personal risk factors and make a proactive plan to stay on top of your heart health.
Myth #2: If I’m young, I don’t need to worry about heart disease.
It’s true that heart disease generally affects those over the age of 65, but people of all ages should be proactive with their heart health and knowledgeable about their risk factors and potential for developing it. Unhealthy habits (like smoking and poor eating) followed at a young age will likely catch up to you later on and could have serious consequences like blocked arteries from too many trans fats in your diet or damaged/narrowed blood vessels from tobacco.
Myth #3: I think my blood pressure is fine, so my heart must be fine.
High blood pressure does not typically have obvious symptoms, so you may never know you have it unless you check for it. High blood pressure is one of the main triggers for heart disease, and unfortunately, heart attacks. The more you know about your blood pressure and the more frequent tabs you keep on it, the better you will understand how your heart is functioning. A simple arm cuff, or a number of smartphone apps now available, can help you monitor it regularly. A standard rate for normal blood pressure is 120/80. If yours is unusually high on a regular basis, speak with your physician.
Myth #4: My leg pain couldn’t have anything to do with my heart.
If you have chronic aches and pains or swelling in your legs that cannot be attributed to a certain condition, injury, or physical activity, you may be suffering from PAD, or peripheral artery disease. PAD is a sign of blocked arteries in the legs and possibly heart disease that could be associated with stroke, heart attack or loss of limbs if not treated.
Myth # 5: Exercise could be harmful if I am at risk for heart disease or already have a weak heart.
On the contrary, regular exercise is important to encourage optimal heart function and boost blood flow throughout the body. Even gentle exercise like walking or yoga is beneficial. Consult with your doctor before starting any type of new or strenuous exercise if you are being treated for your heart, but know that any and all forms of movement are helpful to your health.
CTVS offers variety of surgical procedures performed by our team of experienced board-certified cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons to treat the most serious forms of heart disease and heart conditions such as:
For questions about our vascular, cardiac, or thoracic services, please visit ctvstexas.com or call us at (512) 459-8753 to schedule an appointment.
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