It’s really important that we keep our heart healthy as much as possible. It is the one that pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system, removes carbon dioxide and other wastes, and supplies oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
We must put in mind that there are certain habits that we do every day that simply do harm to our heart.
Kevin R. Campbell, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at North Carolina Heart and Vascular, UNC Health Care in Raleigh, says:
“A number of activities that people don’t think twice about can have a negative impact on heart health.”
Sneaky Habits That Can Damage The Cardiovascular System
Drinking Too Much Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can be dangerous to our health as it can increase our risk of high blood pressure which can cause damage to your heart and arteries over time.
Moreover, it also increases our body’s levels of triglycerides, which are the most common type of fat in your body. This can raise our risk of heart diseases.
Smoking
Smoking is the cause of almost one-third of deaths from heart diseases.
Every time we inhale a cigarette, we are putting over 5,000 harmful chemicals into our bodies. Carbon monoxide, one of these toxic chemicals, decreases the amount of oxygen in our red blood cells, increases the amount of cholesterol in our arteries and damages our heart.
Binge-Watching TV
Sitting for too long glued to our gadgets or televisions simply increase our risk of heart attack and stroke. Lack of movements has negative effects on our fat and sugar levels.
Have a break and get up every 15 minutes and take a quick stroll.
Snoring
This habit is not just annoying. It can also be a sign of sleep apnea which is linked to arrhythmia, stroke, high blood pressure, and heart failure.
Dining Out — Every Night
We love to hang out with friends for dinner or grab a pizza on the way home from working late. These unhealthy food choices can really hurt our heart. The type of food we eat can directly affect risk factors, including cholesterol, blood pressure, being overweight, and diabetes. We need to monitor the type and amount of food we eat. Always opt for a heart-healthy diet.
Not Having Enough Fruits And Vegetables
According to studies, people who regularly eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies have a 20% lowered risk of getting any heart diseases as compared to those who eat three or fewer servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Not Staying Active
People who sit down for most of the rest of your day are at higher risk of having heart diseases.
Regular exercise is key to maintaining heart health. A moderate to exercise for only about 20 minutes a day can lower our cholesterol levels and blood pressure and help us maintain a healthy weight. Playing tennis, walking briskly, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or joining group fitness classes make our heart muscle stronger so it pumps more effectively.
Ignoring Too Much Stress
For decades, stress has been linked to heart diseases. It stimulates the body to release adrenaline which temporarily affects how our body functions — it may cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, damage in blood vessels, and increase the chance of having a heart attack and stroke.
