Your heart doesn’t care how young you are: The myths cardiologists beg you to drop

Heart disease still carries this strange reputation. Something that happens later. To someone else. To people who didn’t take care of themselves. And yet, cardiologists are seeing younger patients walk into clinics every week with symptoms they ignored because they believed the wrong things for too long.So here’s the deal: your heart doesn’t care how young you are, how busy life is, or how many times you’ve told yourself you’ll “deal with it later.” Heart disease is quietly the world’s number one killer, and it’s not just something that happens to “other people.” Every year, nearly 20 million people die from cardiovascular diseases (World Health Organisation report), which include heart attacks and strokes, and that’s nearly one-third of all deaths around the globe.

Part of what makes heart disease so sneaky is how it shows up, or doesn’t show up. Lots of damage happens long before anyone feels anything. High blood pressure creeps up quietly. Levels of blood sugar, lipids, and inflammation rise without obvious discomfort. The early signs can be stuff you shrug off: fatigue, breathlessness, weird aches, an off day that just won’t quit. And here’s another part of the puzzle: people often don’t get checked until it’s almost too late. As per a survey by Wockhardt Hospitals, doctors say only about 35 per cent of people go for preventive heart check-ups, the rest show up only after symptoms appear. That means conditions that could have been caught early go undetected until there’s a crisis. Add to that the heartbreaking statistic, as per a 2023 study that only 11 per cent of heart attack patients reach hospitals in what doctors call the “golden hour,” the first hour when treatment makes the biggest difference.

What are we up against? Unhealthy diets, cigarettes, stress, inactivity, pollution, these risk factors are everywhere. They stack up over years, quietly making arteries stiffer, blood pressure higher, and the heart’s job heavier. And the worst part? Half the people who die of heart disease never saw it coming. Many young adults think they’re “too young” for a heart problem. They’re not. Rates of heart attacks in people under 40 have risen sharply in recent years, with stress and modern lifestyles being big contributors.So when cardiologists say “forget these myths,” they’re not being dramatic. They’re fighting an epidemic that doesn’t shout, doesn’t wait, and definitely doesn’t care how young you are. Your heart works every second of your life, wouldn’t it make sense to learn how to listen back?According to Dr Bipin Kumar Dubey, HOD, Cardiology and Principal Director, Interventional Cardiology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, these myths aren’t harmless.

Dr. Ranjan Modi, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology at Medanta Hospital, Noida, tells TOI Health many patients don’t miss the signs because they don’t care. They miss them because they believe the wrong stories about how heart disease works.

They delay treatment. And sometimes, they cost lives.

The doctors have debunked a few common myths around heart disease that stops people from taking medical advice and hence delays treatment.

“I’m too young for heart trouble”

This is probably the most dangerous belief of all. Yes, heart disease becomes more common with age. But today’s lifestyle has changed the timeline. Long work hours, constant stress, smoking, poor sleep, little movement, and processed food have pushed heart risk into the 30s and even 20s. Dr Dubey often sees younger adults shocked by a diagnosis they never thought applied to them. And that shock usually comes after warning signs were brushed off.

“If it was serious, I’d feel chest pain”

Movies have done real damage here. Not every heart problem shows up as crushing chest pain. Some people feel breathless for no clear reason. Others feel unusually tired, dizzy, nauseous, or have pain in the jaw, back, or arm. Women, especially, tend to have quieter symptoms. But quiet doesn’t mean harmless. And waiting for dramatic pain can mean waiting too long.

“I’m thin, I exercise sometimes, I should be fine”

Being slim doesn’t give your heart a free pass. Cholesterol levels, blood sugar, smoking, stress, and family history matter just as much, sometimes more.

Dr Dubey points out that many patients look “healthy” on the outside but have serious issues inside. The heart doesn’t care about appearances.

“Exercise is risky once you have heart issues”

This myth keeps people stuck in fear. While random, intense workouts can be harmful, guided and moderate exercise is often part of recovery. Movement strengthens the heart. Avoiding it completely can actually make things worse. The key is doing it with medical advice, not guesswork.

“It’s genetic, so why bother”

Genes matter, but they’re not the whole story. Lifestyle choices still carry huge weight. Regular check-ups, better food, movement, and stress control can slow or even prevent problems, even if heart disease runs in the family.

“Women don’t need to worry as much”

They do. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in women, and symptoms are often missed or misread. That’s why awareness and routine screening matter.

“Treatment means I’m cured”

A procedure or pill isn’t the finish line. It’s the beginning of long-term care.

Follow-ups, medication, and lifestyle changes keep the heart stable.And if there’s one thing Dr Dubey stresses, it’s this: don’t argue with symptoms. Listen to your body. Act early. The heart rarely gives a second warning.

“My cholesterol is normal, so I’m safe”

Cholesterol gets all the attention, but heart disease doesn’t work on a single number. Blood pressure, blood sugar, smoking, weight, stress levels, lack of movement, and family history all play a role.

Dr. Modi often reminds patients that heart risk is about the full picture. Normal cholesterol is good news, but it’s not a guarantee.

“Once I start heart medicines, I’m stuck forever”

Not always. Some medications are protective and may be adjusted or reduced if lifestyle changes and medical control improve over time. But stopping medicines on your own is risky. Dr. Modi stresses that changes should always happen under medical guidance. Sudden stops can trigger serious events.

“If I don’t feel anything, nothing’s wrong”

Some of the most dangerous heart conditions stay silent. High blood pressure, diabetes, and even coronary artery disease can develop without obvious symptoms. Many people only discover them after a heart attack or stroke. Regular checkups catch what feelings can’t.

“I exercise, so my diet doesn’t matter much”

Exercise helps. But it doesn’t cancel out poor food choices. Processed foods, excess sugar, and too much salt still strain the heart, even in active people. Heart health is built on daily habits, not just workouts.And the truth is simple. The heart rarely fails overnight. It gives signals. We just need to stop ignoring them.