TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – So far there have been a number myths related to heart health, one of which is reducing the intensity of physical activity after being diagnosed with a problem heart. This is certainly wrong because of a lifestyle that lacks physical activity slow killer. Physical activity strengthens the heart, increases blood flow, and keeps it healthy.
Reported from Times of India, The following is a series of related myths heart health which is wrong:
1. High cholesterol and high blood pressure strike at an older age
While this is true because blood pressure tends to increase with age, that is not the reason why cholesterol and blood pressure increase with age. Entering old age, the arteries become hardened and stiff. This forces the heart to pump blood harder so that blood pressure increases. However, the risk of high cholesterol largely depends on the individual’s lifestyle, diet and fitness.
2. If you’ve been taking your medication, you’re safe
Taking medication for high cholesterol does not protect 100 percent. Statins regulate the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver and therefore reduce the total amount of cholesterol in the body and reduce the risk of it being deposited in the arteries. However, if you are still continuing on a fat-laden diet, statins will not be of much help.
3. Only consume boiled food if you have heart problems
After being diagnosed with heart complications, many recommend switching to foods that are boiled, without oil, spices, and less salt. This is intended to reduce oil consumption, but stopping fat consumption in an extreme way can have other bad effects. This can affect appetite and also cause mood swings.
After the onset of heart problems, what must be stopped is consuming saturated fats, partially hydrogenated fats, and trans fats. Eating fatty fish once or twice a week is also recommended.
4. Diabetes medication helps to avoid cardiovascular disorders
Diabetes and heart complications follow one another. There are several risk factors for diabetes that overlap with heart disease, such as high blood pressure, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking. Although diabetes treatment will keep blood sugar under control and reduce the risk of heart disease, it will not completely protect against negative heart conditions.
5. People with a family history of heart attacks will definitely experience it too
A genetic predisposition to heart disease predisposes a person to cardiovascular events, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to prevent them. Timely medical consultation, engaging in physical activity, reducing smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, reducing consumption of processed foods and trans fats, eating seasonal vegetables and fruits, and consuming healthy oils can improve health and prevent heart attacks.
6. Start having regular heart checks after the age of 40
This is another myth that links heart disease with age. The American Heart Association recommend assay testing cholesterol blood starting from the age of 20 years.
“To test lipid levels in children, it is recommended to do it after 9 years old. And again, it is recommended to repeat it between the age group of 17 to 20 years,” advises Praveen Kulkarni, cardiologist at Global Hospitals Parel. After the age of 20, a person should have an examination every 5 years.
HATTA MUARABAGJA
Also read: 5 Myths and Facts about Heart Disease that Make You Confused
