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Heart Health
Debunking myths about heart disease
- By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
Here’s the history behind four common myths about cardiovascular health — and what the current research says.
Much of the basic advice about staying healthy has stood the test of time: Don’t smoke. Exercise. Eat your vegetables. Over the decades, however, certain recommendations about avoiding heart disease have evolved, thanks to the constant stream of new evidence from medical research.
Long-held habits and beliefs are often hard to shake. But knowing the latest evidence can help you make better choices for preventing, monitoring, and recognizing heart disease. Here’s a look at four misconceptions related to heart disease, along with take-home advice from Heart Letter editor in chief Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt.
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About the Author

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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