THE CURE MYTH involves coronary artery disease or blockages in the heart. Many people think this can be cured when, in fact, it can only truly be prevented. So, let's learn some factors and prevent heart disease. What is heart disease? Coronary heart disease is the main form of heart disease. It's a disorder of the blood vessels of the heart that can lead to a heart attack. There are three vessels to the heart and when they become blocked your doctor could say you've had an MI or myocardial infarction (heart attack).
What's THE CURE MYTH?
One reason some women aren't too concerned about heart disease is they think it can be cured with surgery or an angioplasty procedure and they won't have to worry about it again. This is a myth. Heart disease is a lifelong condition and once you get it you will always have it. It can be prevented.
How? Empower yourself and KNOW YOUR NUMBERS.
Targets/Goals:
Blood pressure: <130/80
Cholesterol: < 200
LDL: < 130
HDL (good cholesterol): >40
Diabetes, if you have, it should be controlled.
Fasting blood sugar: <100
Exercise, exercise, exercise- 30 minutes/day (and any moving is exercise.)
Absolutely NO smoking
If you have a family history of heart disease, it's important to control these risk factors.
Now, we're armed with knowledge. I challenge you to break THE CURE MYTH and prevent heart disease.
Stephanie Moore, MD, is a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is board certified in Internal Medicine as well as Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Massachusetts General Hospital also has a cardiac center devoted to women's health. For more on the Corrigan Women's Heart Health Program, click here.
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