Part IV 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, This is the last set of 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. Three sets of Myths and real facts were published earlier on February 4th, February 11th, and February 18th)
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 #7: You can lower your risk of heart disease with vitamins and supplements.
Fact: The antioxidant vitamin E, C, and beta carotene factor into lowering heart disease risk. However, clinical trials of supplementation with these vitamins have either failed to confirm the benefit or have been inconclusive. The American Heart Association has stated that there is no scientific evidence to justify using these vitamins to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease. The body absorbs and utilizes vitamins and minerals best when they are acquired through natural foods. So, the best way to get all the vitamins and minerals you need is by eating a wide variety of nutritious foods of every color of the rainbow.
Some people like to try over the counter cholesterol supplements as well to lower the cholesterol in place of taking statins. There is no solid scientific data to validate many of them and they have substantial side effects. The best way to handle elevated cholesterol is to adhere to a strict low-fat diet, lose weight, exercise, and consider statin class of drugs if necessary, which have been studied extensively and have been proven to be not only very effective in lowering cholesterol with excellent side effect profile, but also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Heart Health Myth #8: Heart failure can’t be treated.
Fact: Heart failure can be treated successfully in most patients with complete relief or alleviation of symptoms and improvement in long term prognosis with marked advances made in the pharmacotherapy to offer different medications to get rid of the extra fluid buildup in the body, strengthen the heart muscle, and reduce the workload on the heart muscle. In selected cases, more advanced therapies can be offered like implants, ablation procedures for irregular heartbeat conditions like atrial fibrillation, valve replacements, and bypass surgeries.
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ICC as a consortium partner of South Asian Heart Center is offering a proven program with documented results to South Asians in New England area. Over 128 community members from New England area have already joined the program and have benefited from it. South Asian Heart Center has been offering this program for the past 12 years and the evidence they have collected makes it clear that besides medical care, these risks and conditions can be improved by Lifestyle changes. To be effective these programs need to be culturally tailored, evidence-based and sustainable. To learn more about this program, benefits and participants testimonials, please visit – https://ouricc.org/lifestyle-program/
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