Myths and Facts About Your Heart Health

（校友提供）

1. During a heart attack, blood supply to heart tissue is blocked,
leading to tissue death. When your heart suddenly stops functioning as
a result of abnormal heart rhythms, it's called "cardiac arrest." A
heart attack can cause cardiac arrest, but they are not the same.

2. Men tend to develop heart disease earlier in life than women, but
after menopause, women catch up. According to CDC statistics, in 2006
(the most recent year recorded), about the same number of American
women died from heart disease (315,930) as men (315,706).

3. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States,
killing more women than all forms of cancer combined. One in four
women dies of heart disease, while one in 30 dies of breast cancer.

4. If you think you're having a heart attack, you should dial 911
immediately, rather than waiting to see if you feel better. Emergency
medical services personnel are equipped to treat or resuscitate you if
your heart stops en route, and studies have shown that heart attack
patients generally receive faster treatment when they’re transported
by ambulance and the hospital is anticipating their arrival.

5. Although the most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain or
discomfort, it's not always one of the symptoms. Other symptoms might
include shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, feeling lightheaded,
and/or pain or discomfort in other parts of the upper body, such as
the back, stomach, neck, or jaw.

6. "Broken heart syndrome" is a term used to describe a type of
heart problem that’s often brought on by grief or emotional stress.
Traumatic events can trigger the sympathetic nervous system, the
"fight or flight" mechanism, and the sudden flood of chemicals,
including adrenaline, can stun the heart muscle, leaving it
temporarily unable to pump properly. Although symptoms may be similar,
it is not the same as a heart attack. The good news is that the heart
muscle usually recovers from this fairly quickly.

7. According to the American Heart Association, "there's no reason
heart patients or stroke survivors can't resume usual sexual activity
as soon as they feel ready for it." As always, talk to your doctor if
you have concerns.

8. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
39.5% of Americans are at risk for heart disease because of
inactivity. The percentages of U.S. adults with other key risk factors
are: obesity, 33.9%; high blood pressure, 30.5%; cigarette smoking,
20.8%; high cholesterol, 15.6%; and diabetes, 10.1%.

9. In 2006, 81.1 million Americans, or 36.9% of the population,
suffered from some form of heart disease.

10. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, heart
disease has accounted for more deaths than any other cause in every
year since 1900 except 1918 -- the year of a deadly Spanish flu
pandemic.

11. The American Heart Association recommends limiting alcohol
intake to no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink for
women if you already drink alcohol. Non-drinkers are not encouraged to
begin drinking because of the negative health risks of alcohol,
including an increased risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and
stroke.

12. One daily low-dose aspirin has been shown to lower the risk of
heart attack in people who are at high risk of heart attack --
especially in those who have already had a heart attack. To prevent a
second heart attack, your healthcare provider may recommend a higher
dose of aspirin. You should always consult your doctor before starting
aspirin therapy. As with other medications, aspirin also carries
risks.

13. In 2009, a study of American women found that women whose diets
most closely matched a Mediterranean diet had a 29% reduction in heart
disease risk compared with women whose diets least resembled it. Other
studies also show a beneficial effect on risk factors for heart
disease, such as blood pressure and cholesterol. A Mediterranean diet
features olive oil as an important fat source, wine in low to moderate
amounts, and large amounts of fruits, vegetables, bread, potatoes,
beans, nuts, and seeds. It calls for little red meat and low to
moderate amounts of dairy products, fish, and poultry.

14. A survey of U.S. adults who had been told by a doctor that they
had heart disease found that 56.6% engaged in moderate-to-vigorous
physical activity at least three times a week and 38.6% maintained a
healthy body weight. While proper diet and exercise can lower your
risk for heart disease, you may still be at risk.

15. High-sodium diets have been tied to increased blood pressure,
heart disease, and stroke, according to the American Heart
Association. The AHA recommends less than 1,500 mg sodium per day.

Vitamin E and folate have both been shown to be important for heart
health, but studies have cast doubt on the usefulness of vitamin E
supplements, and the National Institutes of Health says it's
"premature" to recommend folic acid supplements for heart disease.
It's best to get both nutrients from dietary sources.