Myth Buster | Terumo India Skill Lab

1. MYTHS RELATED TO HEART DISEASE

My family is susceptible to heart disease, I can do nothing to prevent it

It is true that people with a genetic history of heart disease are at greater risk of developing it. But it is not necessary as several measures can reduce the risk such as healthy diet, controlled cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels and regular physical activity.

I am having chest pain, so I will have a heart attack

It is not necessary to have a heart attack when you have chest pain. Chest pain is the major symptom of heart attack, but heart attack also causes other symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea and pain in the arms, jaw, neck and back.

Heart attacks and heart failure is the same thing

Heart failure and heart attack is not the same thing. During a heart failure, heart fails to pump enough blood for body but in case of heart attack, blood supply to heart is interrupted to blocked arteries 

Men should worry more about heart disease

Research indicates that risk of heart diseases is greater in males than females. It does not mean that women will not develop heart disease. Women above 65 years of age have the same chances of developing heart disease as men.

My heart beat is irregular, I will have a heart attack

Some variations can cause irregular heart beat such as during exercise it fastens and during sleep, it is slower. It is better to undergo a heart test called as electrocardiogram.

2. MYTHS RELATED TO RISK FACTORS OF HEART DISEASE

I don’t need a cholesterol check until I am middle aged

It is good to get your cholesterol levels checked on regular basis, as it will reduce your chances of heart disease. American Heart Association recommends cholesterol checkup every 5 years from the age of 20 years. 

I will know, if I have blood pressure as warning signs will appear

High blood pressure is the silent killer. It is not necessary to develop warning signs if you have high blood pressure, so keep a check on your blood pressure levels as early diagnosis will reduce the complications

Diabetes will not affect my heart as long as I am taking medicine

Treating diabetes will help to reduce the risk of heart disease. But in some cases, heart disease develops even if you have normal blood sugar levels because other factors such as obesity, hypertension, physical inactivity and smoking will contribute to heart disease.

3. MYTHS RELATED TO ANGIOPLASTY

Angioplasty can cure heart ailments permanently

People believe that angioplasty is the permanent solution to heart problem but it is not the case. Angioplasty is done to fix artery blockage but it cannot rectify the deposition of fatty deposits in arteries. For proper cure, you need to keep a check on risk factors that affects deposition of plaque in arteries.

Patients with angioplasty are completely bed ridden for a month

The patients who have gone for angioplasty can get to their normal activities within a week. He/she needs to follow some measures to reduce strain such as avoiding strenuous exercise, pulling or pushing heavy weight and driving.

There is no need of medication after angioplasty

There is no reason to believe that you can stop medications after angioplasty. Doctors will prescribe medications blood thinning medicines if a stent is used in the procedure to stop the formation of blood clots.

4. MYTHS RELATED TO CARDIAC SURGERY

Cardiac surgery is the last management option

It is considered that cardiac surgery should be last management option for heart disease, but it is not true. Cardiac surgery can bring best results only if it is done at right time. Unnecessary delay can cause permanent weakness in heart, making surgical treatment more risky and less effective.

Cardiac surgery leads to restriction of physical activity in future

There is no restriction related to physical activity. Patients can resume physical activity after 10-12 days of surgery and after another week, they can perform other activities like running, jogging and swimming. But it should be kept in mind that the pace of physical activity should be increased gradually.

Cardiac surgery is risky and painful

With the current technological advancements, the cardiac procedures have been made pain free with good success and recovery rates.

5. MYTHS RELATED TO AORTIC SURGERY

Open heart surgery include opening of chest

The open heart surgery is a minimally invasive procedure and thus requires less scarring.

Aortic surgery requires only one procedure

In order to effectively treat aortic aneurysms, aortic surgery includes various procedures such as inserting a graft and removal of aortic valve.

Aortic surgeries are required in all abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm larger than 5cm in diameter requires surgery, however, abdominal aortic aneurysm less than 5cm in diameter don’t require surgery due to considerably reduced risk of rupture.

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