If a stress test is normal, it means a heart attack will not occur.
This is false, good results from a stress test do not guarantee the absence of heart attack risk. An infarct typically results from the sudden blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot, which impedes normal blood flow. Such blockages can occur even in slightly narrowed sections of an artery, so they cannot be entirely predicted by stress test results.
If my close relatives have had a heart attack, I won’t be able to avoid this disease.
One cannot completely dismiss the role of genetics in the development of an infarct. Increased risk is evident when there are multiple cases of the disease in the family, such as a parent and also a sibling. However, even in this case, it is important to talk about a hereditary predisposition rather than inevitability. Both genetic predisposition and an unhealthy lifestyle equally contribute to an increased risk of developing the disease. If there are cases of such illness in your family, it is important to focus on preventive measures. These measures significantly reduce the likelihood of a heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases. These include:
- avoiding harmful habits — quitting smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
- maintaining an active lifestyle — engaging in outdoor walks and moderate exercise;
- avoiding heavy physical exertion;
- following a balanced diet and managing excess weight;
- regularly visiting a doctor for preventive check-ups.
However, if you experience any unpleasant sensations in the chest area, be sure to consult a specialist. The doctor will conduct an examination and, depending on your condition, may prescribe medication (such as Arrow-Lisinopril or Diovan) or even recommend surgery.
If you smoke a little and infrequently, the risk of a heart attack is the same as for non-smokers.
In reality, smoking even in small amounts negatively affects vascular health. Nicotine in cigarettes causes vasoconstriction, leading to regular oxygen deprivation and disruption of normal heart function. Smoking more than a pack of cigarettes a day increases the risk of developing this condition threefold in men and sixfold in women. Combined with other risk factors, smoking reduces arterial flexibility and raises the risk of blood clot formation.
Heart attacks only occur in old age.
There is only partial truth to this belief. Indeed, heart attacks are more frequently diagnosed in older individuals. However, an unhealthy lifestyle, frequent stress, harmful habits and ignoring poor health can lead to disease at any age. Therefore, young women and men are not immune to developing a heart attack, although a healthy lifestyle significantly reduces the risk of this disease at any age. Adhering to preventive measures is also very important for older adults. It is crucial to remember that any changes in the health of elderly people should not be ignored.
If a person has diabetes, they have nothing to worry about.
This is false, as the factors that contribute to the onset of diabetes also increase the likelihood of developing various other diseases. While controlling blood sugar levels is crucial and can reduce the risk of a heart attack, it does not eliminate it. With diabetes, it is important to carefully monitor your health to prevent the development of various adverse conditions.
If you take a medication that lowers cholesterol levels, it helps prevent heart attacks.
Statins reduce the cholesterol produced by the liver, lowering blood cholesterol levels and decreasing its negative impact on the arteries. However, if you take statins and continue eating food high in cholesterol and saturated fats, the medication may not be as effective, and cholesterol levels might not decrease as expected and could even increase. This all negatively impacts the heart and can lead to a heart attack. Therefore, it is important not only to take medication but also to monitor your diet.