8 heart health myths debunked

Published: 21 July 2026

We’ve all got a heart, but how well do you know how yours works? We explore 8 common misconceptions about heart health and explain the evidence.

Myth 1: I’m under the age of 50, therefore I’m not at risk of heart disease

Many things can impact your risk of heart disease – not just your age. The choices you make every day can lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke and help maintain a healthy heart. Even small changes can make a difference.  

Factors that can influence your risk of developing heart disease include things you can change or manage and things you can’t change.

Things you can change or manage: 

• what you eat and drink 
• how much physical activity you do 
• an unhealthy weight 
• smoking 
• chronic stress 
• high cholesterol 
• high blood pressure 
• diabetes. 

Things you can’t change: 

• age 
• family health history 
• personal health history 
• severe mental illness. 

It is important to take care of your heart at any age. This includes having a heart risk check performed by your doctor or nurse. A heart risk check estimates how likely you are to have a heart attack or stroke in the next five years. 

The age you should start having heart risk checks depends on your ethnicity and other risk factors, such as personal and family health history and if you smoke. For some people, this can be as young as 25.  

More about heart risk checks

Myth 2: A heart attack, a cardiac arrest and heart failure are all the same thing

A heart attack, a cardiac arrest, and heart failure are actually three different conditions. This is sometimes misunderstood, as the terms ‘heart attack’ and ‘cardiac arrest’ are often used interchangeably. Some people may hear the phrase ‘heart failure’ and imagine that a heart failing is a heart that’s stopped beating.  

To help understand the differences between these conditions, here is a short breakdown: 

Heart attack 

Heart attacks happen when there is a blockage that slows or completely stops blood flow to part of the heart. This usually happens because fatty plaque builds up in the arteries that supply the heart. Sometimes the plaque can tear or break open, causing a blood clot to form at that spot, which then blocks blood flow to the heart.  

Someone who is having a heart attack is often conscious, breathing and experiencing symptoms. The heart continues to beat during a heart attack. 

A heart attack can sometimes lead to a cardiac arrest. 

Cardiac arrest 

A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops beating. This means oxygen-rich blood can no longer reach your brain and other vital organs.   

 Some heart conditions, including heart attacks, can lead to a cardiac arrest, but it can also be caused by other things like electrocution or drug overdose.  

If someone has a cardiac arrest, they will collapse and become unresponsive almost immediately. They won’t respond to touch or sound and they’ll stop breathing normally. Unless action is taken immediately, a cardiac arrest will cause death. That is why it’s vital to call 111 if you think someone is having a cardiac arrest.

Heart failure 

Heart failure happens when your heart can’t pump blood or relax and fill as well as it should. It sounds frightening, but it doesn’t mean that your heart is going to stop working. While heart failure can’t usually be cured, it can be successfully managed and many people continue to lead an active, fulfilling life. 

Someone who has been diagnosed with heart failure will often manage this condition through lifestyle changes, medication, and sometimes medical devices such as a pacemaker.  

Myth 3: People who exercise every day will never get heart disease

It’s true that regular physical activity is important for a heart-healthy lifestyle. However, there is unfortunately no way to guarantee someone won’t be impacted by heart disease, no matter how much exercise they do. Other factors such as family history, eating habits and chronically elevated stress levels all play a role in someone’s risk of developing a heart condition.  

Still, including plenty of movement in your daily activities can certainly lower your risk. The Heart Foundation recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week. 

More about physical activity 

Myth 4: I have a family history of heart disease; therefore, there’s nothing I can do to prevent it for myself

A family history of heart disease can increase your chance of developing heart disease yourself – but it isn’t a guarantee that you will.  

You can still lower your heart disease risk by eating a heart-healthy diet, include plenty of physical activity in your day, avoiding smoking, and having regular check-ins with your doctor. There’s no need to feel discouraged, because there are many things you can do to look after your heart. 

Myth 5: Heart disease is a man’s problem

Heart disease is the single biggest killer of both men and women in New Zealand.  

Women and men share largely the same risk factors for heart disease, but heart disease tends to occur at a later age for women. This is because the risk for women increases significantly once they reach menopause. 

There are a handful of risk factors that are specific to women. These include (but aren’t limited to): 

• diabetes, blood pressure problems or preclampsia during pregnancy 
• a history of hormonal dysfunction or conditions, such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, formerly known as PCOS). 

More about how heart disease affects women 

Myth 6: A glass of red wine a day is good for my heart

The Heart Foundation doesn’t recommend drinking alcohol to improve heart health. In fact, drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing some heart conditions. 

It’s a commonly held belief that ‘a glass of red wine a night is good for your heart’. This has come about because red wine contains antioxidants like resveratrol. However, red wine is the same as any other type of alcohol and is not recommended for heart health. 

If you don’t drink any alcohol currently, then don’t start drinking. If you do drink alcohol – it’s better to drink less.

Myth 7: If I avoid adding table salt to my cooking, I don’t need to worry about monitoring my sodium intake

Around three-quarters (75%) of the salt we eat comes from processed and packaged foods. That’s why it’s so important to read food labels when shopping, to choose options with the least amount of sodium, and be mindful of how many processed foods we eat. Most people don’t realise food doesn’t need to taste salty for it to add salt to your diet. 

Adults should eat no more than 5g of salt a day (2,000mg sodium) – that’s about 1 teaspoon. This amount is recommended to reduce your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. 

More about salt and your heart   

Myth 8: If I had a high blood pressure, I'd have symptoms

High blood pressure is often called the 'silent killer' because in most cases it doesn’t have any symptoms. 

The only way to find out if you have it is to get your blood pressure checked by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, or to check it yourself with a home monitor. 

For most people, an ideal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. For people already on high blood pressure medication, the target blood pressure is 130/80 or below. 

 However, the blood pressure that is 'ideal' for you depends on many factors, including your overall risk of heart attack and stroke. 

 Ask your doctor or nurse about your target blood pressure next time you visit. 

More information about heart health

The human heart is a complex organ. It can sometimes be hard to decipher the facts amongst the noise. Learning about your heart from trusted sources and how to take care of it helps reduce your risk of heart disease – and gives you the best chance of a long, full life.  

More about your heart