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| - Last Updated on December 15, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A social media post claims that hot and cold compression can prevent heart attacks. We did the fact check and found out this is false.
The Claim
An Instagram video claims that putting a cold compress on your chest and a hot compress on your back at the same time can prevent heart attacks and unblock arteries. It suggests doing this daily for a week, taking a break, and then starting again.
Fact Check
Does temperature therapy prevent heart attacks?
No, temperature therapy cannot prevent heart attacks. While hot and cold compressions can temporarily improve blood circulation in certain cases, such as sore muscles or inflammation, they do not have the ability to prevent heart attacks or address arterial blockages.
The American Heart Association states that heart attacks often result from a mix of factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and family history. Recently, we have seen popular claims suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines increase the risk of heart attacks, which is not correct. Regular check-ups and healthy lifestyle choices can significantly reduce your risk. Moreover, the method suggested in the video lacks medical evidence and oversimplifies a serious, complex heart health issue.
Can hot and cold compressions remove blockages?
No, hot and cold compressions cannot clear arterial blockages. Arterial blockages (atherosclerosis) can happen due to the accumulation of fatty deposits, known as plaques, in blood vessels. Clearing these blockages requires medical interventions such as medications, lifestyle changes, or procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery. Heat or cold applied externally cannot penetrate the body to dissolve or affect these plaques. Claims suggesting otherwise are scientifically baseless.
What can actually prevent heart attacks?
Evidence-based measures can reduce the risk of heart attacks. Preventing heart attacks involves adopting a healthy lifestyle and managing these risk factors. The WHO states that most heart diseases can be prevented by addressing risk factors like smoking, unhealthy eating, obesity, lack of exercise, excessive drinking, and air pollution. Here are some effective strategies:
- Healthy diet: Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.
- Regular exercise: Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.
- Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce strain on the heart.
- Avoiding tobacco: Quitting smoking or avoiding second-hand smoke.
- Managing conditions: Keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes under control with medications and regular check-ups.
- Reducing stress: Practising relaxation techniques like yoga or mindfulness.
We spoke with Dr Almas Fatma, MBBS, Diploma in Family Medicine, PG in Digital Health, General Physician from Navi Mumbai, for her expert opinion on ways to prevent heart attacks. She says, “Preventing heart attacks starts with simple, everyday choices. Eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and avoiding smoking are key steps. Managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol with regular check-ups is equally important. Small changes, like reducing stress and limiting alcohol, can also make a big difference. Prevention is always better than cure.”
How can arterial blockages be unblocked?
Treating arterial blockages usually involves medical treatments, along with lifestyle changes. While prevention through natural methods is possible, addressing existing blockages generally involves a mix of medical therapies and procedures.
Common approaches include:
- Medications: Statins to lower cholesterol, aspirin to prevent clots, and medications for blood pressure.
- Lifestyle modifications: A heart-healthy diet and regular exercise can slow the progression of blockages.
- Angioplasty and stenting: A minimally invasive procedure where a balloon is used to open narrowed arteries, often with a stent placed to keep them open.
- Bypass surgery: Creating a new route for blood to flow around the blocked artery.
Dr Fatma adds, “Unblocking arteries depends on the individual’s condition and usually involves a combination of treatments. This might include medications to lower cholesterol or prevent blood clots, lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet and staying active, or medical procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery. It’s important to see your doctor to find the right treatment for your situation.”
In addition to these, some people recommend turmeric to help prevent atherosclerosis, and it may help to some extent. It’s important to see a cardiologist to get a treatment plan specific to your health and the severity of the blockages.
THIP Media Take
The claim that hot and cold compression can prevent heart attacks or remove arterial blockages is false. Cardiovascular health requires evidence-based measures, such as a healthy lifestyle and appropriate medical care. Always seek advice from a healthcare professional for heart-related concerns.
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