Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
5 heart health myths debunked by a Huntsville cardiologist
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February is known as the month of love, but have you thought about showing some love to your own heart health?
In honor of heart month, we got to speak with Huntsville Hospital Cardiologist, Dr. Sravya Chirumamilla, on some of the biggest misconceptions people have concerning their heart health. Read on to see which myths you might believe.
Meet Dr. Sravya Chirumamilla
Natively from Michigan and a huge fan of the Wolverines, Dr. Chirumamilla and her family moved to Huntsville in 2019.
Her cousin’s kids actually convinced them to move—just not directly.
“My cousin moved to Huntsville years ago, and after I saw how well her kids turned out, it made me want to move here. It’s such a family-friendly location.
Plus, Huntsville Hospital is well-established and provides quality care to a diverse population.”
Dr. Sravya Chirumamilla, Cardiologist, Huntsville Hospital
Becoming a cardiologist
Dr. Chirumamilla initially majored in Political Science and worked for a news copywriter for a year, but she couldn’t deny her calling to the medical field.
In fact, it started during her undergrad days—a couple of years before she even started her first job as a copywriter. Her father got really sick, and even though most of her family was in the medical field, they struggled to find answers for his illness. Dr. Chirumamilla never forgot that feeling of hopelessness and eventually quit her job to pursue the medical field.
Now, her dad is perfectly healthy, and she’s a certified Cardiologist at Huntsville Hospital.
Myth #1: Smoking only affects your lungs
As a Cardiologist, the top thing Dr. Chirumamilla would never do is smoke. When we think about smoking, our minds typically go to lung cancer, but smoking seriously affects your heart health, too.
“Unfortunately, smoking is very prevalent in the South.
Every attempt you can make to quit puts you one step closer to success. So, even if you failed yesterday, try again today.”
Dr. Sravya Chirumamilla, Cardiologist, Huntsville Hospital
Myth #2: Breast cancer is the biggest threat to women’s health
Most people (including me) have believed breast cancer to be the biggest contributor to health risks in women. But according to Dr. Chirumamilla, more women—and men—die from cardiovascular risk than all other diseases combined.
Poor heart health directly contributes to maternal mortality. Dr. Chirumamilla told us that 45% of women over the age of 20 come in with poor cardiovascular health, with African American and Hispanic women especially at risk.
That’s why she encourages pregnant women to seek resources early on:
“Pregnancy is a 10-month long stress test, so you have time to come in and assess your heart health. If you control your risk factors early on, you are likely to have a long and healthy life.”
Dr. Sravya Chirumamilla, Cardiologist, Huntsville Hospital
All the resources you need for a healthy heart are right here in Huntsville. Reach out to the Heart Center at Huntsville Hospital today.
Myth #3: Two alcoholic drinks a day protect your heart
Although many factors can contribute to what’s considered moderate drinking for a person, Dr. Chirumamilla advises that two drinks a day are too many.
“A large population-based study shows that more than four drinks in one setting, or more than seven in a week increases cardiovascular risk, including risk for arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, coronary disease or congestive heart failure.
So, while we would say a little bit of alcohol consumption does not affect your cardiovascular health, over-drinking does.”
Dr. Sravya Chirumamilla, Cardiologist, Huntsville Hospital
When it comes to food, Dr. Chirumamilla recommends a Mediterranean diet—olive oil instead of butter, lean cuts of meat and plenty of fruits and veggies.
Myth #4: Your family history isn’t a factor
If you think your family doesn’t factor into your heart health, think twice. Even though you can’t change your family history, you can use preventative measures.
Dr. Chirumamilla recommends asking your family about their health history and getting a screening done at Huntsville Hospital to assess your heart health.
Myth #5: 10 minutes of exercise a day is enough
Although ten minutes of exercise is better than none, Dr. Chirumamilla recommends doing a bit more if you want your heart to be in the best shape.
Per week, you should be shooting for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise—this is enough movement for you to be out of breath but not exhausted. This could look different for everyone; here are a few options:
- 15 minutes, 2 times a day, 5 times a week
- 30 minutes, 5 times a week
- 50 minutes, 3 times a week
And here are fun and local ways to get started:
- Take a walk in Big Spring Park
- Bike on the Monte Sano trails
- Play with your dog at Huntsville Dogspot Park
Your next steps to a healthy heart
If you want to check on your heart health, here are some steps you can take:
- Get an annual blood test done with your primary care office
- Get a screening done at Huntsville Hospital (only $99)
- Monitor your heart rate + blood pressure regularly
If you or someone you know is struggling with heart issues, rest assured that Huntsville has the nation’s best in its backyard.
“We have such good technology at Huntsville Hospital. We are one of the highest-rated heart attack treatment centers in the country, and we can provide a quality of care that’s not available in most places.”
Dr. Sravya Chirumamilla, Cardiologist, Huntsville Hospital
Heart Month is the perfect time to check on your cardiovascular health—book a screening today.
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