Poets, musicians,
novelists and mystics have spoken often of the language of the heart, but what
exactly is the heart saying?
The human heart is a
powerful organ that pumps 60 to 90 times per minute when calm and at rest.
However, the heart does have its limits.
Myths about heart
health abound. Television, films, and pop culture cultivate and spread certain
myths about heart health and heart attacks -- myths that can kill if never
questioned.
Myth #1: Heart disease is genetic and
pre-ordained.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no gene for heart disease. Instead,
physicians look at the heart health of first-degree relatives to better
determine each individual's chances of experiencing heart disease.
Each person also can promote heart health in a variety of ways, dispelling the
fatalistic viewpoint that nothing can be done. Exercise makes a huge difference
in promoting heart health, and quitting smoking provides instant heart benefits
that only increase in number as time goes on, making quitting the cigarettes a
worthwhile pursuit now.
Myth #2: It's obvious when someone is
suffering from a heart attack.
People having a heart attack do not always sway, get a horrified look on their
face, and grab their chest. There are many symptoms that indicate a heart
attack, including heartburn, fatigue, and dizziness.
Women experience heart attack symptoms differently than do men. Often, instead
of chest pain, women experience pain in their back, neck, stomach, or jaw.
Women also often experience nausea when having a heart attack.
It is important to piece all of the symptoms of a heart attack together so that
anyone, male or female, experiencing one or more of the most common symptoms
gets a check-up fast, to rule out a heart attack or another more serious health
condition.
Myth #3: You are OK if you buy trans-fat
free foods.
Eating an entire package of a food labeled trans-fat free is not
heart-healthy. In fact, foods labeled as "trans-fat free" can still
contain up to a certain amount of trans fat, so you may be ingesting a high
amount of trans fats anyway.
Furthermore, foods labeled as "trans-fat free" can still contain high
amounts of saturated fats, which are dangerous to the heart. A better way to
promote heart health is to read the entire label and take into account the
amount of sodium, cholesterol, sugar, and overall serving size.
Myth #4: Stress and anxiety are not
serious heart health risks.
In today's fast-paced world, many people take stress and high anxiety levels
for granted. However, stress is not just an unpleasant inconvenience. Over
time, it can weaken the heart muscle.
The fight-or-flight response, part of which includes a racing heartbeat in
order to provide necessary blood to the body's extremities for either combat or
serious running, will eventually weaken if this particular response continues
long-term. A racing heart for a short period of time is healthy adaptation, but
a lifetime of stress can actually shorten your life.
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