Part III of IV – Heart Health Myths and Real Facts by Dr. Sanghvi, an experienced Cardiologist
As part of our “Health and Wellness Awareness – Education with a purpose” series, we plan to publish every Friday in February two Heart Health Myths and real facts to debunk the myths by Dr. Sanghvi, MD, FACC, experienced Cardiologist and ICC’s Lifestyle Program’s Director of Health. Two sets of Myths and real facts were published earlier on February 4th and February 11th)
We hope you will read and reflect on the facts surrounding heart disease and more importantly, act on improving your heart health.
Heart Health Myth #5: If you take a cholesterol-lowering medication, you can eat anything.
Heart Health Myth #6: If you are fit and trim, you don’t have to worry about heart disease.
Fact: While exercising regularly and maintaining normal weight and BMI by US standard in your PCP office can reduce your risk. However, these practices may give you a false sense of security and may not completely safeguard you against developing heart disease.
First, the normal BMI cutoff of 25 has been lowered to 23 for South Asians by American Heart Association because of strong evidence suggesting that we are more prone to develop metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease at lower body weight and BMI. Also, you can be physically fit and trim, and still have other risk factors like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, and family history to list a few, which can be present without symptoms, and can raise your likelihood to develop heart disease. Because of this, it’s important to see your doctor for regular checkups to detect any of these conditions, work up any symptoms as they arise and follow prescribed diagnostic workup and treatment, including lifestyle modification to assure best long-term cardiovascular health.
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