7 months ago
Cardiologist Debunks 8 Common Heart Health Myths
Heart disease is a big problem worldwide, and there are many myths about it.
Dr. Sameer Gupta, a heart doctor, explains that heart disease isn't just for old people—young people can get it too.
Chest pain isn't the only sign of a heart problem; sometimes, it can be breathlessness, jaw pain, or fatigue.
Being overweight isn't the only risk factor; even people with a normal weight can have heart problems if they have other risks like high blood pressure or diabetes.
Not all fats are bad; some fats like those in nuts and fish are good for your heart.
High cholesterol isn't always bad; it's the type of cholesterol that matters.
Exercise is important, but it can't make up for a bad diet.
Genetics play a role, but lifestyle choices are more important in preventing heart disease.
Supplements can't replace healthy foods; whole foods are better for your heart.
Believing these myths can be harmful, so it's important to get the right information.
Heart disease affects people of all ages, not just the elderly, with a rise in cases among Indians in their 30s and 40s.
Chest pain is not the only symptom of a heart problem; breathlessness, jaw pain, nausea, extreme fatigue, or back pain can also indicate heart issues.
Obesity is a risk factor, but people with a normal BMI can still be at high risk if they have central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, or other factors.
Not all fats are bad; unsaturated fats from nuts, seeds, and fish are beneficial, while trans fats and excessive saturated fats are harmful.
High cholesterol is not always a sign of heart disease; the type of cholesterol (LDL and HDL) and other factors like genetics and lifestyle play a role.
- Who
- Dr. Sameer Gupta, a senior interventional cardiologist based in Delhi
- What
- Debunking common heart health myths
- Where
- Delhi, India
- When
- Not specified
- Why
- To clarify misconceptions about heart health and prevent delayed diagnosis or poor treatment compliance
Key facts
- Primary Category
- HEALTH
- Secondary Category
- Cardiology
- Tertiary Category
- Myths
- Quaternary Category
- Debunked
- Expert Consulted
- Dr. Sameer Gupta
- Heart Disease Prevalence
- Leading cause of death globally and in India
- Key Risk Factors
- Metabolic risk factors, smoking, sleep deprivation, chronic stress
- Recommended Measurements
- Waist circumference, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, triglycerides, ApoB, Lp(a)
Quotes
Dr. Sameer Gupta
Senior interventional cardiologist based in Delhi and group head of the Cardiac Cath lab at the Metro Group of Hospitals.
“Obesity is a risk factor, but it's not the whole story. People with a 'normal' BMI can still carry high cardiometabolic risk if they have central obesity/visceral fat, insulin resistance, hypertension, abnormal lipids, smoking exposure, or strong inflammatory burden. This is particularly relevant for South Asians, where ectopic fat and central adiposity can be disproportionately high even when BMI looks 'acceptable'.”
NDTV
“Age increases risk, but it does not 'immunise' the young. The biology of atherosclerosis starts early—especially when metabolic risk factors (insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, high triglycerides), smoking/vaping, sleep deprivation, and chronic stress are present.”
NDTV
