WHAT'S UP DOC
Myth3
Mytht
Perpetuated over again is the
misconception that cholesterol is
harmful to your body. This is not true,
at least not in its entirety. Cholesterols
comprise two types of lipoprotein:
low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and
high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is
the evil twin, contributing to fatty build-
up in arteries and creating narrower
passageways that raise the risk of heart
attacks, strokes and peripheral
artery disease.
On the other hand, HDL plays the
good role, protecting you against heart
attacks and strokes. Medical experts
hold the belief that HDL carries LDL
from the arteries back to the liver where
it is broken down and passed out from
the body. Cholesterols are more than
just HDL and LDL, and the truth is,
they are vital components of our bodies.
With too low a level, your bodies cannot
function properly.
Myth2
Just because your family
has a history of heart
diseases does not mean that
you are sure to get it down
the road. Indeed, you suffer
a higher risk of inheriting
the disease but besides
genetics, environmental
factors also contribute to
the condition.
An unhealthy lifestyle,
such as heavy smoking may
be a more potent cause
than genetics when it comes
to heart disease risk. To
reduce this risk, be aware of
your lifestyle choices.
A study conducted by the
Health Promotion Board
(HPB) has found that eight in
10 Singaporeans consume an
average of 8.3 grams of salt. That
is 60 per cent more than the
recommended level of s grams.
High sodium intake leads to high
blood pressure, a contributor of
heart disease.
You might think adding in less
salt or soy sauce to your cooking
would reduce your sodium
intake, but that might not be
the case. Hidden sodium is
present in a lot of food, including
canned food, processed meat
and seemingly innocent ones like
bread and cheese. The sodium in
these foods potentially elevates
blood pressure, increasing
your risk of heart disease. To
overcome this challenge, identify
hidden sodium sources to reduce
consumption, while increasing
intake of potassium-rich food
like bananas. Potassium balances
out the negative effects of
sod.ium, helping to lower blood
pressure.

Myth4
While medical
recommendations for annual
heart check-ups are generally
for people who are 40 years
old and above, those with a
family history should start
earlier as they have a higher
risk of contracting the disease
as adults. These check-ups,
which include assessment
of cardiovascular risk
factors, will help you
pre-empt heart diseases.
These risk factors
include hypertension,
hyperlipidaemia and
diabetes mellitus.
Adopting heart-healthy
diets and lifestyle will
keep heart diseases at bay
but they are not substitutes
for a regular visit to the
clinic, especially since it is
always good to catch them
in the early treatable stages
where symptoms are minor.
Myths
Heart diseases are for
men, and breast cancers
are for women. This is a
common misconception that
still lingers on among the
public. A study conducted
by Harvard Medical School
shows that since 1984 there
has been a rise in deaths from
heart diseases in women.
Heart diseases are the leading
cause of death in both men
and women.
High estrogen levels in
women may decrease the
risks of certain heart diseases
but as they age, the estrogen
levels fall, reducing the
protective effect. By age 60 to
65, the risk of heart diseases
among men and women are
about the same, and in fact by
age 75, women carry higher
risks than men. Ultimately, it
is lifestyle choices and diets
that are better protectors of
heart health.
Myth6
You saw them in films.
You read about them in
publications. When heart
trouble is about to strike,
common signs and symptoms
like chest pains, shortness of
breath and cold sweat set in.
But sometimes heart diseases
are silent killers. Heart
attacks, for example, do not
always happen in the same
way, and in some cases, no
symptoms manifest to alert
the person.
At the same time, high
blood pressure, which is often
a precursor and contributor
to heart diseases, does not
reveal any symptoms till it is
too late, or when it is severe
enough. Affected people
often do not recognize that
they require immediate care.
Early treatment of high blood
pressure can significantly
reduce the risk of a heart
attack, stroke and other
serious health issues. m
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MYALVERN IA