Sept_13

10 MYTHS THAT COULD
PUT YOUR LIFE AT RISK
DR M R GIRINATH, CHIEF CARDIC SURGEON AT APOLLO HOSPITAL,
CHENNAI, HELPS BUST MYTHS ABOUT CARDIO-VASCULAR DISEASES
Myth # 1: Screening is necessary only after symptoms
become evident
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is especially prevalent among
the adult population in India, particularly in urban areas;
the numbers are even higher than in the US and Europe.
Chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and lipid
disorders are also widely prevalent in India, and all these
conditions promote the development of CAD. We, therefore,
need to prevent the harmful effects of these diseases. We
also need to watch out for other factors that contribute
to CAD, such as a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating
habits. Every adult person should have a full medical checkup
at least once a year rather than wait till heart disease
becomes evident. Remember, that in some cases, sudden
death may be the first indication of heart disease.
Myth # 2: Taking diabetes and cholesterol medication is
enough to stem the effects of CAD
Taking medicines for these disorders is essential but they do
not halt the progression of CAD. One needs to take further
steps, such as cessation of smoking, de-stressing measures
like yoga and meditation, adoption of a healthy diet,
regular exercise and weight control.
Myth # 3: Exercise and strenuous physical activities
must cease after a heart attack
It takes around six to eight weeks to recover from a
heart attack. Thereafter, the doctor evaluates the extent
of damage to the heart with a treadmill exercise test to
estimate safe limits of exertion. The patient may also need
to undergo a coronary angiogram to evaluate whether he or
she needs to undergo balloon angioplasty or bypass surgery
before resuming normal activities.
Myth # 4: Heart disease is
genetic. So nothing can be can
be done to prevent it
Although there is a genetic
prediliction to heart disease,
a family history of
coronary disease is found
in only a small percentage
of patients. In individuals
with a family history, early
and primary preventive
measures can delay the
onset and limit the severity
of the disease.
Myth # 5: Only overweight people are prone to high
cholesterol levels and heart disease
Being overweight is only one of many factors that add
to CAD. Therefore, being thin is no guarantee against
this condition.
Myth # 6: Heart attacks are characterised by shooting
pain in the chest
Chest pain on exertion is one of the symptoms of coronary
heart problems. The heart itself is technically an insensitive
organ and the pain one experiences is a referred pain.
Nearly 20 per cent of those who suffer severe CAD do not
experience chest pain, especially in case of pre-existent
chronic diabetes.
Myth # 7: Heart disease begins to affect people above
the age of 50
In India, relatively young people are beginning to experience
CAD; this is higher when compared to the US and
Western Europe. It is estimated that CAD occurs a decade
earlier in India than in the West. Nearly 10 per cent of
patients here are aged less than 40 and the majority of our
patients are between 50 and 60.
Myth # 8: Aspirin is enough to prevent a heart attack
Aspirin reduces the chance of blood clots forming within
diseased coronary arteries. It only reduces the chances of
a person with coronary heart disease from suffering a
heart attack.
Myth # 9: After heart surgery, it is safer to largely
confine oneself to bed and not move around much
Coronary bypass aims at restoring normal life in patients
with CAD. By bringing more blood supply to
ischemic heart muscle, the patients’ ‘effort
tolerance’ is greatly improved and most
patients can return to an active life.
Myth # 10: Smoking only affects
the lungs, not the heart
Apart from damaging the lungs,
smoking affects the blood vessels
in the entire body, especially
the coronary arteries. The most
diseased coronary arteries are often
seen in long-term smokers, who are
also diabetic.
—As told to Neeti Vijaykumar
harmony celebrate age september 2013 45