6 Ways You’re Harming Your Heart, says Cardiologist
Your heart is a complex machine, but keeping it healthy is easy.
Heart disease is still #1 cause of death worldwide. Further due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic, it will extend that grim run at the top. The COVID-19 pandemic has made us adopting unhealthy behaviours that can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Few of such harmful habits that herald the coming of heart disease, are listed in this blog.
Few of such harmful habits that herald the coming of heart disease, are listed in this blog.
6 ways you are harming your heart
#1 You bank on your regular workout
For your heart’s sake get up and get yourself moving. Even though you do a bit workout and sit down for the rest of your day, that’s a problem. You need to be active all day long.
#2 You are still smoking
Experts say that cigarette smoking is the No. 1 preventable cause of death. The chemicals/toxins in tobacco smoke damage arteries, spiking your risk of a heart attack. Even people who quit smoking between the ages of 65 to 69 can add one to four years to their lives.
Someone else’s smoke could hurt your heart and blood vessels. You need to avoid it.
#3 You are not getting your blood pressure checked
What’s your blood pressure? No clue? Now that’s risky. They could be high without you knowing. As per a study conducted by American Heart Association in 2018, 8 out of 10 men over age 55 technically have high blood pressure (hypertension).
Over the time, hypertension weakens the walls of blood vessels and thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack. So, keep track of your blood pressure and follow your doctor’s advice on how to keep it in a healthy range.
#4 You don’t know your cholesterol levels
As we age our body naturally produces more cholesterol, which can build up in the arteries increasing the risk of heart disease. Experts advice getting your cholesterol checked every 5 years.
Your total cholesterol level should be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), with an LDL (“bad cholesterol”) of less than 100 mg/dL and an HDL (“good cholesterol”) level of 60 mg/dL or higher. So the first step is getting them checked.
#5 You are eating too much sugar
Not just cholesterol damages your heart; consuming too much added sugar is also a major risk factor for heart disease.
How do you consume added sugar? It could be in sodas, or cookies or in any processed foods you’d never expect. All these foods’ added sugar intake can lead to blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes and fatty liver disease which ultimately skyrocket your chance of having a heart attack.
#6 You are drinking too much alcohol
Alcohol and liver damage is known to all, but excessive drinking can take a serious toll on your heart too. Excessive alcohol intake can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure or stroke. Excessive drinking can also contribute to cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle.
If you drink alcohol, limit your intake — one to two drinks a day for men, no more than one a day for women.
The takeaway…
If you are concerned about your heart health & you found your healthy habits disrupted by the pandemic, these are the most important places to get back on track.
