World Heart Day 2022: 5 myths related to heart disease on which you shouldn't believe

World Heart Day 2022:  Our heart is one of the most important organs of the body, which carries oxygen and nutrition to the cells and also removes waste products. Any sign of heart trouble should be taken seriously as it is linked to your longevity and survival. Eating the right diet, exercising, staying away from smoking, alcohol and junk food is important to maintain your heart health.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, which include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and a third of these deaths occur in younger people. 

World Heart Day is celebrated every year on 29 September, to create awareness about heart diseases among people, thereby reducing the global disease burden. 

Let's know about 5 myths related to heart disease:

Myth 1: Young people don't need to worry about heart disease. Heart disease occurs only after the age of 50.

Fact: Nowadays, heart disease is not just based on age. Young people are also seen getting affected by this. From childhood, plaque starts to accumulate in the arteries, which later becomes the reason for the blockage of the arteries. Many diseases like obesity, type - 2 diabetes, cause heart disease in youth. 

Myth 2: I am young now, I can eat junk food. I don't even need exercise because I am fit.

Fact: Junk food and lack of physical activity are dangerous for everyone, no matter how young you are. The youth should know that their bad lifestyle will become trouble for them later.

Myth 3: I have diabetes but it is under control, so it won't affect my heart health.

Fact: Keeping it under control along with diabetes medicines reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of heart-related diseases. Diabetes means that you can also become a heart patient at any time. Some of the common reasons for this are high blood pressure, obesity, being overweight, lack of physical activity and smoking.

Myth 4:  The problem of high cholesterol does not happen at a young age. Only after the age of 45 do I need to get my cholesterol level checked

Fact: After the age of 20, you should have your cholesterol tested every 5 years. If there is a history of cholesterol in your family, you should get tested and start early. 

Myth 5: Nothing can be done to prevent heart disease, as there is a history in my family.

Fact: It is true that people who have been suffering from heart disease in their family are at increased risk of it. However, this risk can be reduced if you choose a healthy lifestyle from the beginning. Keep an active lifestyle, keep cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels under control, do not smoke and maintain weight. If these things are taken care of, then heart disease can be avoided. 

Disclaimer: The tips and tricks given in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be taken as professional medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your doctor immediately.