MYTH 1:  You can't exercise if you have heart problems.

Physical activity is also recommended for cardiac patients; see your doctor about the sort of exercise and time permitted.

MYTH 2:  If you take cholesterol-lowering medicine, you can eat any fatty meal you choose

Statins work by lowering cholesterol, which is mostly produced by the liver; but, if you continue to consume excessive amounts of saturated fat, the medications may lose their effectiveness.

MYTH 3:  High blood pressure is more common among older persons.

BP can grow with age, but this should not be considered normal, and you should seek medical treatment if your BP remains consistently over 140/90 mmhg.

MYTH 4: Eating vitamins and supplements will keep me healthy.

Even if you take vitamin capsules and high-quality supplements, if you smoke, have high blood pressure, have a strong family history of heart disease, or are obese and eat unhealthy, you will have an increased risk of a heart attack, because there is no strong evidence that antioxidants and vitamins prevent heart attacks unless the risk factors are addressed.

MYTH 5: If I've been smoking for years, stopping now won't help my heart.

Wrong- The advantages of smoking begin the minute you stop smoking; after one year, your risk of heart attack drops by 50%, and after ten years, it is the same as a non-smoker.