Fact or Fiction? Wellstar Cardiologist Breaks Down 5 Heart Health Trends
Every beat of your heart helps you do the things you love—it's vital to take care of your cardiovascular health. However, it can be challenging to know where to start and where to find informative, trustworthy resources, especially online.
Wellstar Cardiovascular Disease Specialist Dr. Eddie Hackler examined five trending heart health topics to help you separate fact from fiction.
1. Good fats
You may have heard that fatty foods can actually boost your heart health, and that can be true—with some foods.
“Some fats are good for your heart. And my apologies to all the bacon-lovers out there, but the fats I’m talking about don’t come from red meat,” Dr. Hackler said.
Monosaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids can support a healthy heart and lower your cholesterol. You’ll find these fats in foods such as olive oil, sunflower seeds, fatty fish—like salmon—and avocados.
2. Juice Cleanses
We've all heard about fad juice cleanses and how they can “flush out toxins,” but the truth is they can do more harm than good.
“Most people who do juice cleanses frankly aren’t eating enough solid food to meet their nutritional needs,” Dr. Hackler said. “This quickly leads to tiredness, headaches and irritability.”
Instead of juicing, Dr. Hackler recommends eating fruits and veggies whole.
“You’ll get the vitamins without sacrificing the fiber and set yourself up for a healthier day.”
3. Power walking
Can power walking make a difference in your heart health? Yes! You can actually walk your way to a longer life.
“A recent study shows that only 10 minutes a day improves your sleep, metabolism, mood, cognitive health and obesity risk,” Dr. Hackler said. “Look, it’s quick, affordable and completely worth it. Think about it as just a few songs’ worth of walking per day for a longer, healthier life. I’d take that deal.”
4. Eggs
Some people say eggs are great for you. Others say they’re sure to increase your cholesterol. The truth? It’s somewhere in between. Eggs can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of a heart-healthy diet.
“Egg yolks have high cholesterol levels, but for generally healthy people, a modest intake of no more than one large egg per day has not been found to increase your risk of heart attack, stroke or any type of cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Hackler said.
Most of the cholesterol in our bodies doesn't come from many of the foods we eat, but from those high in trans and saturated fats, according to Dr. Hackler.
“Cholesterol levels can still increase with egg consumption, so you can eat eggs, but try not to eat more than one a day. And if you’re looking for a healthy alternative, try egg whites.”
5. Sleep
Can late nights lead to heart disease? Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Without it, the body releases chemicals that make it harder to keep your heart rate and blood pressure low. Both are factors that contribute to heart disease.
“If you commit to meeting that seven- to eight-hour mark, you could lower your risk for heart disease by 20% compared to short sleepers,” Dr. Hackler said.
Heart health support at Wellstar
Getting a screening through the Know Your Heart program at Wellstar helps catch potential heart issues at the start—before they become a bigger problem. That means you can take action early and keep your heart going strong. The preventative assessment arms you with knowledge about your current cardiovascular health status. After the screening, you’ll understand your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and other conditions. Call (770) 956-7827 to schedule a screening.
Learn more about how Wellstar supports patients with heart health concerns.
