11 Common Heart Check-Up Myths Debunked With Cardiologist, Dr Lee Tjen Jhung

1. Only older adults need check-ups.

“That’s a widespread misconception. While the risk of heart disease increases with age, it doesn’t discriminate. Young adults can also develop heart conditions due to factors like genetics, lifestyle, and congenital issues. We’re seeing more young adults presenting with cardiac issues. Early detection is key, regardless of age.” says Dr. Lee Tjen Jhung, Island Hospital’s Cardiologist.

A study published in the Atherosclerosis Journal also indicated that there is a rising prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among young adults.

That’s why it is important to have a comprehensive heart check-up every year.

Interested to learn more? Watch Dr. Lee’s three-part series on heart check-up myths.

2. I feel fine, I don’t need a heart check-up.

Feeling fine is excellent, but it’s important to remember that health isn’t always about how we feel in the moment.

Dr. Lee explained that while feeling well is encouraging, heart conditions like stenosis can develop silently.

Stenosis in the heart
Image source: Mayo Clinic

Unfortunately, heart disease is often called a ‘silent killer’ because for many, the first symptom is a critical event.

A heart check-up can provide a more comprehensive picture of your cardiovascular health, beyond how you currently feel.

3. I don’t need a heart check-up if I exercise regularly.

Exercising is fantastic for your heart health, but it’s not a foolproof shield.

The well-publicized cases of athletes like Bronny James collapsing due to congenital heart defects demonstrate that even top-level fitness doesn’t eliminate all risks.

Although exercising effectively reduces your risk of heart disease, other factors at play such as genetics, diet, and stress can still contribute to heart disease.

Therefore, annual physician check-ups are essential for a comprehensive view of your heart health, beyond what exercise alone can reveal.

It’s understandable to think that home monitoring devices offer a convenient way to stay on top of your health.

Devices like blood pressure monitors, fitness trackers, and even ECG monitors are becoming increasingly sophisticated in providing valuable data that can help you track trends and identify potential issues.

Despite that, they don’t replace a comprehensive medical assessment that is more accurate and sensitive in ruling out any form of heart disease.

Essentially, screenings provide valuable information, and while they’re not perfect, they’re a crucial tool for early detection and preventative care.

To give you a clear picture of your heart health, Island Hospital provides a detailed cardiac screening package. This package combines a variety of specialized tests and consultations with our heart specialists, ensuring a thorough evaluation of your cardiovascular well-being.

Put some lovin’ into your eating habits! Get the dieting tips you need for a healthier heart in this article on: Love Your Heart: Simple Tips for a Heart-Healthy Diet.

5. If my cholesterol levels are normal, my heart is healthy.

“It’s excellent that your cholesterol levels are within the normal range. However, relying solely on cholesterol numbers to assess your heart health is like looking at a single piece of a complex puzzle,” explains Dr. Lee Tjen Jhung, Island Hospital’s Cardiologist.

While normal cholesterol is certainly a positive sign, it’s just one factor among many that influence cardiovascular risk. Dr. Lee emphasizes that even with ideal cholesterol, other significant variables can contribute to heart disease.

These include your genetic predisposition, which is something you inherit and cannot change, your age, which naturally increases risk over time, and your gender, as certain cardiovascular risks differ between men and women.

Lifestyle factors like stress, diet, and exercise also play crucial roles.

We encourage you to have a conversation with your healthcare provider to discover the most suitable screening frequency for you.

6. Women don’t need heart check-ups as much as men.

The belief that women don’t need heart check-ups as frequently as men is not only inaccurate but dangerously misleading. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, making this myth particularly harmful.

The reality is that, women often experience heart conditions differently than men, presenting with atypical symptoms that are frequently missed or misdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness, even among medical professionals.

For example, instead of the typical chest pain, women may experience shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, or severe gastric discomfort, which can be mistaken for indigestion.

Coupled with a higher pain tolerance, this often leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment, significantly increasing their risk of fatal outcomes following a heart attack.

It’s critical to dispel this myth and recognize that heart health is not gender-specific.

Everyone, regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman, deserves and requires proactive cardiovascular care.

7. If there’s a family history of heart disease, I’m bound to have it too.

Think of family history as a genetic predisposition, like having a slightly higher chance of rain. It doesn’t mean it will pour, but it does mean you should carry an umbrella.

In this case, your ‘umbrella’ emphasizes having a healthy lifestyle with the right diet, good habits such as exercising, maintaining an optimum BMI, and going for regular check-ups.

You can take these proactive steps to mitigate the risk, even with a strong family history.

8. Once I’ve had a heart check-up, I’m in the clear.

The idea that a single heart check-up provides lifelong assurance is another common misconception among many people.

Your heart health is dynamic, influenced by evolving lifestyle habits, aging, and the potential development of new risk factors.

Dr Lee dispels this common myth by stating that “It is equally important to go for regular heart screenings to reassess and look again because as we know, the incidence of heart disease increases as a person ages from the age of 50, 60, and upwards of 70.”

Recognizing the subtle differences in heart attack warning signs between men and women can be life-saving. Dive into this article on Heart Attack Warning Signs: How to Spot Them Early.

9. Heart check-ups are too expensive and not worth it.

Dismissing heart check-ups as too costly is like neglecting to maintain the foundation of your house to save on immediate expenses.

That small initial cost can prevent far more extensive and expensive repairs later on, or even the complete collapse of the structure.

The financial burden of treating advanced heart conditions, coupled with the immeasurable cost to your quality of life and longevity, makes the initial screening a wise and vital investment.

It’s not just about money; it’s about safeguarding your most precious asset: your health.

Understand why heart check ups are worth it for your overall well-being in Dr Lee’s three-part series on heart check-up myths.

10. Heart check-ups will involve running on a treadmill and I cannot run because of my bad knees / back.

If you’re picturing us strapping you to a treadmill and yelling ‘Go, Rocky, go!’, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

We understand that not everyone’s a marathon runner, especially if your knees and back have a different opinion.

There are many ways to assess your heart health and treadmill tests are just one of the many options.

We have alternative tests like stress echocardiograms or cardiac CT scans that are suitable for individuals with mobility issues. Think of it as choosing your adventure – we’ll find the heart test that fits you best.

11. I need to be exposed to radiation or take medicines during my heart check-ups.

Many people worry about radiation or medication during heart check-ups, but the good news is that not all tests involve them.

The truth is that, many essential heart tests are completely non-invasive, like ECGs and echocardiograms, which use sound waves.

As Dr. Lee explains, “The risks linked to a typical heart check-up are very low. For instance, if you do a treadmill test, you’ll be closely supervised and assisted. And standard heart scans often use ultrasound, which is very safe and doesn’t involve radiation.”
Some advanced tests, like CT scans or coronary angiograms, do involve small amounts of radiation and contrast dye to enhance imaging but they are always carefully administered in safe, controlled quantities.

If you have concerns about radiation or medication, it’s best to consult directly with your doctor. They can give you personalized information about the tests they recommend and answer any heart-related questions you might have.

Conclusion

Getting your heart checked is one of the best ways you can do to take good care of yourself, and we at Island Hospital are determined to make it as comfortable and informative as possible.

Beyond just your heart, if you’ve noticed any changes or concerns in other areas of your health, a comprehensive screening can provide valuable insights.

Island Hospital’s Executive Health Screening package offers a gentle yet thorough assessment, covering vital organs like your heart, kidneys, and liver.

Plus, you’ll have a dedicated physician consultation to discuss your results and address any questions, ensuring you have a complete picture of your overall well-being.

If you have any questions or need a starting point, we’re ready to support you. Let’s work together to explore your health goals in a consultation.