Mythbusting: The Heart

When it comes to the heart, there are many myths floating around. So, let us clear up the myths that have been floating around in relation to the heart and clarify what exactly is meant with terminology and ideas that usually aren’t right.

Myth 1: Heart Failure is when your Heart Stops Beating

When the term ‘heart failure’ is heard, people automatically think this means the heart has stopped working. However, it is actually the politically correct term for the heart not pumping blood around the body as effectively as it should be. This means the vital organs are deprived of oxygenated blood.

With heart failure, you can go several years without any symptoms showing. As time goes on symptoms can start and gradually get worse. Symptoms of heart failure can include:

Chest pain (if the failure is the result of a heart attack) Fatigue Rapid or an irregular heartbeat Persistent coughing with white or blood stained phlegm Weight gain from fluid retention

The gradual effect is due to your heart trying to cope with its weakening. The heart will enlarge and force itself to pump faster than it should so it can compensate and still pump blood around the body.

Myth 2: You Shouldn’t Exercise if or after you have a Heart Attack

Regardless of your health condition, exercise is always beneficial to the heart. Usually after a cardiac event, such as a heart attack, people are encouraged to take up some form of light exercise, such as walking, as part of their rehabilitation within two weeks.

Some of the benefits of exercise include:

Improved circulation Improved cholesterol level Aids weight loss Lowers blood pressure

Exercise after a heart attack can reduce the chances of contracting additional heart problems in the future. Your GP will advise you on the right time to start the exercise as part of your rehabilitation. Victims who implement exercise into their recovery program will have a faster and a safer recovery from the heart attack they suffered.

Myth 3: Cardiovascular Disease is a Man’s Disease

Many people are under the impression that cardiovascular disease, is just a ‘man’s disease’ and if you’re female then your chances of contracting heart disease is significantly lower. However, according to Harvard Health more women have died than men each year from heart disease since 1984! Women usually develop the disease 10 years later than men, but the outcome for women is usually worse than men.

Regardless of your gender you should request your GP to conduct all the relevant tests in order to screen you and your heart’s health. These tests could include cholesterol and your blood pressure. It’s then advisory to follow your doctors recommendations once you have your test results.

As you get older, the risks of cardiovascular disease increases and by retirement age, over 70% of both men and women have a cardiovascular disease. This can include:

Strokes Heart failure Coronary artery disease

Myth 4: Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attacks are the Same Thing

Many people misinterpret both of these terms; and usually believe that they are the same exact thing. Sadly, many people are wrong. They’re two very different cardiac events.

A cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction in the heart which causes an irregular and usually chaotic rhythm. These irregular rhythms are called arrhythmias. With the heart not beating as it should be, vital organs are starved of oxygenated blood. Death will usually occur in minutes if treatment is not delivered to the patient.

The only definitive treatment for sudden cardiac arrest is effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation of the heart; this is a life-saving shock delivered from a defibrillator which jumpstarts the heart back into a stable rhythm.

A heart attack is when a blocked artery prevents oxygenated blood from travelling to a section of the heart. If the artery is not cleared to allow regular blood flow to the section of the heart, it will usually begin to die within minutes as it is not being supplied and nourished. Similarly to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the longer a victim goes without treatment (opening and clearing the artery) the greater the harm to the victim.

Unlike sudden cardiac arrest which happens with no prior warning, heart attacks do have symptoms which can vary in both men and women. The chest pain a victim usually experiences is sever, however it can in some circumstances be minor and in other eventualities it can be painless in the chest. This eventuality has been noted in women, diabetics and the elderly.

The usual symptoms often include:

Light-headedness Dizziness Shortness of breath Nausea Vomiting Overwhelming anxiety Wheezing and/or coughing Chest pain Body pains

So, what have we learnt today? The four main facts- not myths- you’ve learnt are:

You can have heart failure for a good while prior to any symptoms arising Regardless of your health condition, you will always benefit from exercise Whether you’re male or female, you can still get cardiovascular disease Sudden cardiac arrest and heart attacks are NOT the same thing.

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