Wellness Watch is a health information and advice column from OhioHealth.
ATHENS, Ohio – Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. February is American Heart Month, making it a great time to take steps towards better heart health all year. OhioHealth cardiologist Vipin Koshal, DO shares some proactive steps everyone can take to protect and improve their heart health.
Common misconceptions
Dr. Koshal shared a few common misconceptions, but the one he sees the most frequently is people giving up way too early.
“I have some patients who come in and they think that there’s no use in trying to do anything to prevent heart disease, because they’re destined to have it,” said Dr. Koshal. “They think because their brother, father or grandfather had a heart attack or stroke that there is no use in trying to keep themselves healthy.”
This is not even close to the truth. While 50% of an individual’s risk for being diagnosed with heart disease is linked to their genetics, he said, the other 50% has to do with one’s lifestyle and individual choices.
“I think that’s one of the most important lessons that I can give to patients,” said Kosha. “No one is without hope.”
Many have heard “an aspirin a day keeps the doctor away,” but this is not always true and patients aren’t sure whether or not they should still believe this old saying.
Dr. Koshal said, “there is a lot of confusion about aspirin, whether people should take it or not. For most people, they should always be talking to their doctor.”
Early warning signs
Going to your yearly doctor appointments may seem like a pain in the moment, but Dr. Koshal shares that staying consistent and getting checked regularly can save your life.
“What’s going to creep in first are things like high blood pressure,” explained Dr. Koshal. “We call it a silent killer, because high blood pressure is putting high pressure on all your organs—your brain, your kidneys, your eyes and your heart.”
However, high blood pressure isn’t the only warning sign your primary care doctor can check for.
“It’s the same with cholesterol—if you’re not getting your cholesterol drawn yearly, you just don’t know.”
Along with the above wisdom, Dr. Koshal listed some other warning signs people should be vigilant about in their everyday life.
“If you’re doing your normal activities and you’re noticing feeling short of breath, heaviness or discomfort in your chest arms, back, neck, or jaw doing things that you were previously able to do without an issue, it’s time to take those seriously and figure out the cause.”
Diet and exercise
Dr. Koshal talked about the benefits of a Mediterranean diet and how it can help keep heart disease at bay.
“Eating less meat proteins and eating more fruits and vegetables is a better way to go,” said Dr. Koshal. “People are going to have less heart disease if they eat like that.”
While diet is an important factor, exercise is also crucial. There are many different ways to get exercise, and for some, it can be intimidating to start. Dr. Koshal reminds people that simply moving your body is the most important part.
“We’ve got to move, and we have to move every day. A minimum of 30 minutes a day, but I really like people to do 60 minutes a day if they can manage.”
While 30 to 60 minutes can sound like a lot in the midst of a busy day, you can be creative in achieving this goal.
“Some of my patients like to divide that up,” suggested Dr. Koshal. “They like to do like 10 minutes of walking three times a day, or 15 minutes twice a day. Others like to do it all the same time.”
By dispelling myths, recognizing warning signs and embracing a healthier lifestyle you can better protect your heart this February and far beyond.
