Heart Health Myths That Are Sabotaging Your Health

Alright, seeing as it’s February let’s talk about our heart, that little engine inside your chest that beats over 100,000 times a day, moving 2,000 gallons of blood through our body. Despite all the heart-health advice out there, heart disease is STILL the #1 killer in North America. So, what’s going on?

I’ll tell you: we’ve been misled in our thinking… repeatedly…and so I’m busting some of the biggest myths that are keeping people sick, and trust me, you’re going to want to know this.

MYTH #1: “I Feel Fine, So My Heart Must Be Healthy”

Sorry, wrong! Half of heart attacks happen in people with NO prior symptoms. That means feeling great today does NOT mean your arteries aren’t silently clogging, in fact, you could be one cheeseburger away from a total disaster and not even know it.

What to do instead? Get your numbers checked. Not just cholesterol, but also inflammation markers like homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP). because if your doctor isn’t checking these, you’re flying blind.

You may be feeling fine now, but you want to catch any potential issues before they turn into a full-blown problem. Plus, understanding your numbers can help you to make lifestyle changes that protect your heart long-term.

MYTH #2: “Cholesterol Is the Enemy”

If you still think cholesterol is the villain, let me ask you this: Why do people with “perfect” cholesterol still drop dead from heart attacks?

Here’s the truth: Cholesterol isn’t the problem. That’s like blaming firefighters for a fire just because they’re always at the scene. The real issue? Inflammation. Our arteries get damaged from things like sugar, processed foods, and stress, and that causes our cholesterol to rush in to repair the damage. The more inflammation, the more cholesterol shows up.

What to do instead? Focus on reducing inflammation. That means cutting out the real culprits like sugar, seed oils, alcohol and processed junk. Instead, try loading up on omega-3s, antioxidants, digestible protein and whole foods.

MYTH #3: “Low-Fat Diets Are Good for Your Heart”

For years, we were told to avoid fat, and what happened? Heart disease skyrocketed. People swapped out healthy fats for carbs and sugar, and the result? More obesity, more diabetes, and more clogged arteries.

Your heart needs healthy fats. Avocados, wild-caught fish, nuts, and olive oil—these are your heart’s best friends. What you DON’T need? Artificially “heart-healthy” margarine and low-fat processed junk.

What to do instead? Embrace fats, they’re not the enemy, but do it wisely by adding more omega-3-rich foods like salmon and flaxseeds. Try focusing on unsaturated fats from plants, like avocado, coconut and olive oil. These fats support heart health and reduce inflammation, giving your heart the nourishment it needs to not only survive but to thrive.

MYTH #4: “Aspirin Will Save You”

For years, doctors handed out daily aspirin like candy. Now? New studies show it can do more harm than good, leading to internal bleeding without actually preventing heart attacks in healthy people. The real prevention? Fixing your lifestyle.

What to do instead? Don’t rely on aspirin, focus on real prevention. A diet full of heart-healthy foods, regular exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep are your true allies in the fight against heart disease.

MYTH #5: “Heart Disease Runs in My Family, So I Can’t Do Anything About It”

This drives me crazy. Genetics only play a 20% role in heart disease. The other 80%? That’s lifestyle! What you eat, how you move, how you handle stress, any and all of that is what really determines your risk.

What to do instead? Make lifestyle changes TODAY. It doesn’t matter what your parents or grandparents did. You can turn things around not all at once but by making better choices every day, it adds up.

MYTH #6: “I’m Too Young to Worry About Heart Disease”

If you think you’re too young to start caring about your heart, you might want to reconsider. Heart disease doesn’t have an age limit, so while you may not have heart disease yet, your habits today can either help or hurt you in the long run.

What to do instead? Start TODAY…NOW! Move more, eat better, manage your stress, and keep an eye on your heart health with regular checkups. The earlier you start, the better you’ll feel in your golden years.

MYTH #7: “Exercise is Only for Weight Loss—It Won’t Help My Heart”

Exercise isn’t just for fitting into skinny jeans. It’s the ultimate heart-boosting, stress-busting, energy-upping magic trick. Regular exercise improves circulation, lowers your blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the muscles that pump your blood…and it feels good!

What to do instead? Get moving! Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, (that’s not even 22 minutes a day), any movement is better than none. If you don’t feel like working out today, just remember, even a 10-minute walk will make your heart a little happier. Just move a little more to start.

MYTH #8: “I Don’t Have Time to Take Care of My Heart”

I get it, I really do, life is busy…but guess what? Your heart doesn’t have a pause button. If you think you’re too busy to worry about heart health, that you can ignore it, you’re really just too busy not to worry about what would happen by staying in denial.

What to do instead? Start small. Try adding a walk to your lunch break, swap out sugary snacks for heart-healthy options, add 5 -10 minutes of stretching to your daily routine. Your heart will thank you, and your sanity might too.

MYTH #9: “I Can’t Afford to Eat Healthy”

I get it: healthy food (all food) is expensive, but the price of heart disease is way more expensive, both financially and emotionally. Eating healthy doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you’re strategic about it.

What to do instead? Meal prep! Plan ahead, buy in bulk, and get creative with affordable, heart-healthy meals. Some of the best meals for your heart are also the cheapest: beans, oats, eggs, and frozen veggies. You don’t need to splurge on fancy foods to take care of your heart.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it. These myths are out there and I believe they’re causing serious harm. Now that you know, I hope you start thinking differently about your heart. Make smarter choices and embrace lifestyle changes that will support your long-term health.

Take control, get informed, and share these heart health myths with someone you feel might appreciate what I’ve shared. The path to a healthy heart is in our hands, and it’s not as complicated as some make it out to be, your heart is worth it too. I can help you ideas on how to get started right here DannieCadeWellness, take what you like, leave the rest and enjoy! Make it a great day!

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