Heart Myths Debunked ~by Dr. Harshad Sanghvi, MD, FACC

Dr. Harshad Sanghvi, MD, FACC, is an experienced Cardiologist and Medical Director of ICC’s Lifestyle program

As many of you may know, February is a Heart Health Month. To assure a Healthy Heart – education, awareness, and actions to intervene are extremely important to keep the heart healthy. Fact is, heart disease is a leading cause of death in the USA and globally claiming more lives each year than all types of cancer, chronic lung disease, and accidents combined. Most of these deaths result from a heart attack in people with coronary artery disease. As South Asians, we face much higher risk contributing 60% of the burden of global heart disease with only 25% of the world population.

HEART MYTH 1: Chest pain is the only warning sign of a heart attack.

Although chest pain is a classic symptom of a heart attack, there are often other symptoms of a heart attack that can occur in absence of pain, pressure, tightness or heaviness in the chest area. You may experience pain or discomfort limited to only the left arm, both arms, neck, jaw, center of the back, across the shoulder blades, or in the stomach area. You may have no discomfort anywhere, and may get only unexplained shortness of breath, profuse sweating, nausea, indigestion, or lightheadedness. Diabetics and women are more likely to have atypical presentation of a heart attack. Take these symptoms seriously and seek medical help immediately.

HEART MYTH 2: Total cholesterol is the only number that matters.

Elevated total cholesterol has been associated with an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. But, total cholesterol is the sum of both the “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol. So, it does not tell the whole story. Elevated cholesterol, if related to high LDL or bad cholesterol, can increase your risk of heart disease. However, if elevated cholesterol is related to high HDL or good cholesterol and normal LDL or bad cholesterol, it can protect you against developing heart disease. Current guidelines recommend a full lipid profile to look at all components of cholesterol to better assess individual risk for heart disease.