High blood pressure in old age is normal

As the body ages, blood pressure often increases due to stiffening artery walls, forcing the heart to work harder. This creates a harmful cycle: the heart pumps blood forcefully, damaging arteries, which then makes the organ work even harder. Over time, this stress leads to heart muscle damage and increased fat accumulation in the arteries, raising the risk of a heart attack.

Diabetes does not affect the heart

Controlling blood sugar is crucial to prevent damage to small blood vessels, which can lead to kidney disease, vision impairment, nerve damage, and erectile dysfunction. The impact of diabetes on larger blood vessels can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Heart disease is only a men's issue

Both men and women can develop cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and hypertension. This risk increases with age. To prevent these conditions, individuals should proactively take preventive measures and schedule regular health check-ups to assess cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other indicators.

Heart patients should not eat fat

This belief is incorrect; patients should maintain a balanced diet. It is important to limit saturated fats, hydrogenated fats, and trans fats. Unsaturated fats, found in vegetable oils and foods like fatty fish, are beneficial for health.

A mild heart attack is not a big deal

Even a mild heart attack can be a serious indicator of underlying heart disease. These often warn of future heart attacks and potential health impacts on the organ.

Heart failure means the heart stops beating

The heart suddenly stops beating during cardiac arrest, not heart failure. In individuals with heart failure, the organ continues to function but does not pump blood as efficiently as normal, leading to shortness of breath, swelling in the feet and ankles, or a persistent cough and wheezing. In cases of cardiac arrest, the patient loses consciousness and stops breathing.

A fast heart rate means a heart attack

Slight changes in heart rate are normal. Heart rate increases rapidly during exercise or excitement and slows down during sleep. Most of the time, changes in heart rate are not a cause for concern. However, sometimes it can be a sign of an arrhythmia, which affects the organ's function and requires treatment.

By Le Nguyen (Source: Times of India)