There are many common myths about heart attacks that you consider to be facts. Understanding and knowing the symptoms and risk factors associated with heart attacks and replacing myths about heart disease with facts will give you the information you need so that you and your doctor can do the best to prevent heart attacks.
5 Common Myths About Heart Attacks That You Thought Were Facts
Heart disease is something that can happen to anyone at any given point. Especially when it comes to a heart attack it never comes with a warning sign. People often mix an anxiety attack with a heart attack, as it causes the same amount of pain in the chest. So there are a number of misconceptions/myths attached to a heart attack.
The thought of having a heart attack is confusing and scary at the same time. According to the best heart specialist in Lahore, one of the best ways to prevent a heart attack from happening to you is by understanding and knowing the symptoms and risk factors associated with it.
It should be kept in mind that the symptoms of heart attack are different in men and women. Here are some of the symptoms that you need to keep in mind in order to understand the facts and then differentiate them from the misconceptions.
Myth 1: Healthy people don't suffer from heart attacks
One of the biggest causes of heart attacks that are still neglected is stress. This is true even if you spend hours in the gym and exercise every day. It is proven multiple times by different studies and researches that the main reason is work-related stress. If you work over 3 to 4 hours in the office, your risk of getting a heart attack and other heart diseases automatically increases.
Exercise is not a cure for stress, but it does help to maintain a balance in our busy lives. But it must be mentioned that it does lower the stress.
Myth 2: A heart attack and heart failure are the same
A heart attack which is also known as myocardial infarction happens when the flow of blood is cut off from the heart all of a sudden. The cause is the blockage seen in any of the coronary arteries.
However, if we look at heart failure it has a build-up behind it. Other heart conditions like valve disease can weaken the heart to such an extent that it doesn't allow the blood to travel properly to the heart and the blood doesn't pump properly away from the heart.
A heart attack is always a condition that damages the heart and then it causes the failure of the heart.
Myth 3: The only indication for a heart attack is chest pain
Heart attack symptoms are different for everyone. It is not necessary to feel excruciating pain in the chest. The symptoms can be very subtle for some people. A lot of people complain about a tingling feeling in the arm. Some feel nausea or indigestion.
Women feel different symptoms and signs as compared to men. They usually complain about shooting pain in the back, arms, and jaw. Some say that they feel extreme fatigue and lethargy. It is seen in a lot of cases where people have a heart attack and they realize it later or are made to realize after it’s over that they had one.
Educate yourself and gather the required information yourself in order to help as soon as possible.
Myth 4: Heart Attacks happen to men more
It is a surprising fact that heart disease is causing an increase in the death rate for both men and women. Since it is understood that the sym[toms are different in both genders. It is very helpful if you ask your doctor and knows the differences in the signs of both genders.
It should be understood that women have an increased risk of heart diseases and heart attack as their age increases. So, a smart approach is to understand and learn the right symptoms and then further look into prevention.
Myth 5: It’s okay to exercise after a heart attack
There is no denying the fact that exercise helps you to stay fit and then ultimately saves you from getting heart attacks in the future. Blood circulation is also improved when you exercise and move your body. But, keep in mind that after a heart attack you need to go for lighter exercises such as aerobic, yoga, and breathing techniques.
Avoid all sorts of the heavy lifting as it causes your blood pressure to rise uncontrollably.
Final Thought
Don't panic and don't get frightened by the name of heart attack or heart disease. Keep yourself active by exercising every day.
Understanding and knowing the symptoms and risk factors associated with heart attacks and replacing myths about heart disease with facts will give you the information you need so that you and your doctor can do the best to prevent heart attacks.