Deciphering Pain Points For Your Heart

By GOH WEN SHUEN, GILLIAN LIM

We have all been there. A twinge in the jaw, a dull shoulder throb — prompting us to reach for a medicated patch or schedule a quick massage in hopes of instant relief. But before you dismiss these disturbances as a result of a bad night’s sleep, read on to find out what these flusters might really mean for your heart health.

ACHES AND PAIN IN MY KNEES AND HIPS ARE JUST SIGNS OF AGEING
MYTH While pain in the knees and hips is common among older people, age is not the sole cause. One of the main culprits of these pains is arthritis, where cartilage in the joints is worn down, resulting in bone rubbing against bone. While associated with older individuals, two-thirds of those with arthritis are below 65.

Arthritis could also have other consequences. A study in Sweden found that people who lived with knee or hip arthritis for 11 years had a nearly 20% greater likelihood of death from heart disease or failure. Pain from arthritis often makes patients less active, resulting in weight gain. This, along with a lack of exercise, places extra stress on their heart and increases their risk of heart disease. The inflammation which causes arthritis may also lead to further inflammation and blood clots that block blood flow back to the heart.

STATINS FREQUENTLY CAUSE MUSCLE ACHE
MYTH Many reported symptoms from statins are likely misattributed due to a nocebo effect. The nocebo effect kicks in when the patient experiences symptoms because of a strong belief that statins cause muscle aches. In one study, researchers found that when patients were unaware they were given statins, there was no reported increase in muscle-related symptoms. However, enlightened patients were more likely to report symptoms when they were given statins, hence affirming the nocebo effect.

PAIN IN MY NECK IS NOT SERIOUS
MYTH Neck pain is a common complaint among the adult population, and long periods of hunching over screens are a major contributor to the discomfort that adults face. While there rarely is a need for alarm, a tear in one of the main arteries of the neck could manifest as neck pain, and lead to a stroke. Two major sets of arteries – the carotid and vertebral arteries – carry blood to the brain. When tears in these arteries occur, a clot may form, potentially obstructing blood flow through the artery or becoming lodged in an artery in the brain. Tears in these arteries are often observed in young adults and can be attributed to hereditary disorders or vigorous exercises that strain the neck.