Heart disease is no longer a distant threat – it is one of the leading causes of death in India. Yet, despite growing awareness, many people still rely on outdated or misleading beliefs that delay prevention and treatment.
According to experts, these myths can be dangerous, sometimes even fatal. Here are five common misconceptions doctors want Indians to urgently unlearn.
This is one of the most harmful assumptions. Indians have a higher genetic predisposition to cardiovascular diseases compared to many other populations. "Indians are more prone to developing heart diseases due to genetic predisposition. Sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits further increase this risk. Obesity - especially abdominal fat - is a major risk factor for multiple diseases. Being aware of our lifestyle choices, maintaining overall health, and staying vigilant about cardiac symptoms are key to preventing major cardiac events,” said Dr. Vikram B Kolhari, cardiologist at Apollo Hospital.
According to Dr. Kolhari, even young adults are now experiencing heart attacks. No one is “immune.” Prevention starts with awareness, regular check-ups, and healthier daily choices.
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Many people think heart disease is just about heart attacks. In reality, it’s a broad spectrum of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. The most common type - coronary artery disease - silently develops over the years due to factors like high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and high blood pressure. “The most common condition of heart disease - heart attack - is often linked to risk factors such as obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease. Controlling these risk factors plays a crucial role in prevention,” said Dr. Shlesha R Pradhan, Cardiologist - Apollo Hospital.
Ignoring these risk factors allows the disease to progress unnoticed. Managing lifestyle conditions early is key to preventing severe outcomes.
While some cardiac events appear sudden, the warning signs are often there, just overlooked. Symptoms such as chest discomfort, breathlessness, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, or even acidity-like sensations can signal underlying heart issues.
Regular health screenings can detect early risk markers like high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. Timely intervention can prevent major cardiac events. It is not fate but often a missed opportunity for early action.
Heart disease silently develops over the years due to factors like high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and high blood pressure
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