With cardiovascular disease affecting more than one in three adults in the United States, it’s important to avoid bad (but always tempting) habits that lead to the weakening of the heart.
Check out these risks so you can minimize your own risk for heart disease.
Sitting for hours on end increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, even if you exercise regularly, because the lack of movement may affect blood levels of fats and sugars. If at work or just watching TV, standing and walking around during long periods of sitting may help.
Leaving stress or depression unchecked may negatively affect your heart and experts say:
“Those likely to internalize stress are in greater danger; research has shown a benefit to laughter and social support.”
Snoring is not only annoying, but can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which increases the risk of heart disease.
Keep those teeth clean! Experts aren’t exactly sure why, but there is a strong link between gum disease and heart disease.
Too much boozing! Excess alcohol is linked to a greater risk of high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, and heart failure.
Overeating, duh! It’s the biggest no-brainer on the list since being overweight is a MAJOR risk factor of heart disease. Eat less, smaller portions, and exercise more!
Ignorance is bliss, but it can also be unknowingly dangerous to your heart. Don’t assume you’re not at risk because high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight, and smoking are all risk factors that should be kept in check.
Red meat, although a favorite for some meat eaters, is high in saturated fat. There’s also evidence that processed meat, such as bacon and hot dogs, increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer. Choose lean cuts of red meat and limit your intake!
Smoking…is just BAD for all you! Specifically, it promotes blood clots, which can block blood flow to the heart, and contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries.
Avoiding fruits and vegetables can rob your heart of enriching nutrients and benefits! Research shows that people who eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day had about 20 percent lower risk of heart disease and stroke than people who ate less than three servings per day.
Salt causes blood pressure to rise, which is a major risk factor for stroke, kidney failure, and heart attack. The average person’s sodium intake should be below 2,300 milligrams a day, but those with high blood pressure should cut down to 1,500 milligrams.
Empty calories from junk foods are devoid of any healthy nutrients and full of sugar, fat, and oil. A diet consisting of mainly empty calories severely increases risks for obesity and diabetes, and therefore, heart disease.
[Image via AP Images.]