By now, we all know the importance of heart health – but the advice we’ve been given to keep our hearts in good shape has certainly changed over the years. As science has evolved and we’ve learnt more about what’s good and bad for our bodies, some of the well-meaning advice we were once given is, as it turns out, not beneficial for us at all. Here are five pieces of heart health advice that have changed over the last few decades:
- Smoking and your heart and lungs
It’s hard to imagine it, but there was a time when smoking was actively promoted as being good for your health. In the 1930s and 40s, the medical community hadn’t yet discovered a link between smoking and things like cancer and heart disease, so tobacco companies often used doctors to endorse their health claims about cigarettes. Today, it’s an accepted fact that smoking is detrimental to the lungs and heart, and can be a major risk factor for several major illnesses including heart disease.
- Good cholesterol vs. bad cholesterol
Cholesterol, the waxy substance lining your arteries, has historically had a bad reputation as a contributor to heart disease and other heart problems. But in recent years, researchers have found that there are actually two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), considered to be “good” cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), considered to be the “bad” kind. While LDL takes cholesterol directly to your arteries which may eventually cause heart attacks and stroke if it’s deposited in excess, HDL actually helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream – and in so doing, lowers your risk of heart disease.
- High fat foods can be good for you
In the 1980s, and even still today, many people believe that a low fat diet is better than one that’s high in fat. In actual fact, fats are an essential part of a healthy diet: eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, for example, can actually lower your risk of heart disease. What’s more, many low fat items contain far more added sugar and salt than their “normal” fat alternatives, and things like margarine contain trans fats that may actually increase your risk of heart disease. Today, health practitioners agree that it’s better to enjoy things like full fat yoghurt, cheese and nut butters in moderation, rather than opting for their low fat equivalents.
- Prevention is better than cure
Since medication like statins first became available in the 1980s to help prevent the risk of heart attacks and strokes, there can be a tendency for people to live unhealthy lifestyles while relying on medicine to “fix” their potential heart problems. But most health experts agree that living a healthy life –reducing stress, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and eating healthily – is a far better way of avoiding heart problems in the first place. Regular check-ups can also help, so if you’re part of a medical aid, check what your scheme offers. Fedhealth, for example, offers a health risk assessment that helps identify whether you’re at risk of developing lifestyle conditions like heart disease. If a risk is identified, they’ll either help you prevent its onset by helping you change your lifestyle, or they’ll help you manage it through practical advice.
- Exercise is always beneficial
Several decades ago, it was believed that if you had heart disease, you needed to rest in order not to raise your heart rate. These days, heart specialists like Harvard medical professor Dr Richard T. Lee disagree. “For the vast majority of people with heart disease, being sedentary can lead to blood clots in the legs and a decline in overall physical condition,” he says. This is because exercise done in moderation actually helps strengthen your heart muscle, as well as improve circulation to your internal organs.
Advice on heart heath has evolved over the years, and advances in the medical field means we know more about the heart – and the human body in general – than ever before. While maintaining a healthy heart and lowering your risk for conditions like heart disease may involve some lifestyle changes, the good news is that in 2021, it’s less likely you’ll be receiving bad advice. Here’s to maintaining a healthy heart – your body’s most vital organ!
