Maintaining a healthy heart is critical, especially for Americans, so knowledge is power when it comes to supporting heart health. Unfortunately, there are a lot of heart health myths out there that can get in the way of your heart health goals.
Myth 1: I Feel Great, so I Don’t Have to Worry About Blood Pressure
Fluctuation in blood pressure levels often causes no symptoms at all, even when it's unhealthy. As a result, people may live with it unknowingly for a long time. Nearly half of all adults in the US have unhealthy blood pressure levels (45%, or 108 million), and of those, only 24% work to try and keep their blood pressure maintained.
A healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone of blood pressure control, including getting plenty of fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and managing everyday stress. However, for many people, medications can be important. If you are not sure if your blood pressure is within a healthy range, see your physician for an evaluation and recommendations.
Myth 2: Coconut Oil Is Good for My Heart
It is a common misconception that coconut oil is heart-healthy because it contains medium-chain triglycerides, which are thought to have health benefits. Unfortunately, medium-chain triglycerides make up only a small amount of the fatty acids in coconut oil. The reality is that 90% of the fat in coconut oil is saturated, which is more than butter at 60% saturated fat.
There is no data to support that coconut oil promotes heart health. In fact, saturated fat has been shown to raise both HDL and LDL cholesterol levels more than other plant-based oils like olive or canola.
Myth 3: I Don’t Eat Red Meat, So My Cholesterol Is Fine
The consumption of red meat has become unpopular in recent decades as studies have demonstrated a link to poor heart health. However, you may not know that the amount of cholesterol in beef, chicken, and fish is quite similar. Further, processed foods and foods high in saturated fat (see above on coconut oil) can have negative effects on your cholesterol levels. So, even if you cut out red meat from your diet, you can still have unhealthy cholesterol levels.
A plant-based diet with proteins coming from plant sources instead of animal sources, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and minimally or smartly processed foods works well to support healthy cholesterol levels. When plant proteins are substituted for animal proteins, healthy LDL, Apo-b, and non-HDL cholesterol levels are maintained.
Myth 4: A Keto Diet Will Help Me Maintain a Healthy Weight
Ketogenic diets were initially designed to reduce the risk of seizure in epileptic children. This high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet causes a metabolic state called ketosis, a response by the liver to produce ketones made from fatty acids.
Many people find a ketogenic diet helpful for weight management. Ketogenic diets, however, are often not ideal for heart health. With such a restriction on carbohydrates, people tend to stay away from healthy plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Also, in search of the foods high in fat required by a ketogenic diet, people may load up on red meat, processed meat like bacon, and other animal products like dairy. These foods are high in saturated fats and cholesterol, which won’t do your heart any favors. In addition, a ketogenic diet can interfere with you getting all the essential nutrients you need for overall health.
A healthy routine that you can maintain long-term, including a nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise, is the best way to maintain a healthy weight and overall health.
Myth 5: I Vape, I Don’t Smoke, so My Heart Is Fine
Cigarette smoking is linked to an increased risk of poor heart health, so many mistakenly believe that vaping is not as harmful as smoking cigarettes. The truth is that vaping is dangerous for heart health. Compared to people who don’t vape, vapers have an increased risk of common heart health complications.
A recent study demonstrated that those who vape have more unhealthy cholesterol levels than those who do not. Additionally, the compounds in the liquid solution negatively affect normal blood clotting function and can impact arterial health and normal blood flow, having negative effects on blood pressure. Quitting smoking and vaping is the most effective way to promote heart health.
Support Your Heart Naturally
What is not a myth is that you can support heart health with several naturally-occuring ingredients. While medications will be important for some people, there are advantages to including certain heart-healthy ingredients in your diet.
Patented ingredients like Bergavit®, which supports healthy blood lipid levels, and niacin, an essential vitamin that can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, work together to help promote arterial health, proper circulation, and healthy blood pressure. You can also support healthy cholesterol levels by including olive leaf and garlic bulb extract in your diet, both of which help equalize blood lipid levels for better arterial health and blood flow.
Blood sugar metabolism is also important for a healthy heart, and Cinsulin®, a patented cinnamon bark extract, can help you promote proper sugar metabolism, along with chromium, a mineral known to promote sugar absorption. In addition, naturally-occurring ingredients like berberine bark extract can promote sugar uptake from the blood into the muscles for healthier blood vessels and overall heart function.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot of misinformation on heart health, and it’s often hard to determine what is fact and what is fiction. But, armed with the facts and health-boosting nutrients, you can live your life with confidence, happiness, and good heart health for years to come.
Dr. Heather Shenkman
Dr. Heather Shenkman is a board certified interventional cardiologist. She completed a six year program at Albany Medical College, graduating at the age of 23. She completed her residency at Henry Ford Hospital, cardiology fellowship at the University of Rochester, and interventional cardiology fellowship at the esteemed Tufts Medical Center in Boston.
