Good Lifestyle

Your heart is so much for you, pumping blood throughout your body 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Unfortunately, even if the attention of your heart is still healthy, we often do not return the favor,Engage in bad habits which put the important muscle at risk. What many people do not realize, however, it is not only the bad obvious heart health habits that make damage. Often, it's small things you do not even think you have negative effects in the first place. Here are the 20 worst habits that destroy your heart. And to learn why it has never been so important to take care of all aspects of your well-being during the coronavirus pandemic, checkYour stress of Covid could cause this deadly heart disease, finds the study.

Think about how long you spendsitting every day. If it's more hours you want to admit, make your mission to start getting some extra steps. In a 2015 study published in theAnnals of internal medicineThe researchers found sitting for long periods of timeIncrease your risk of cardiovascular disease by 14%. This can also increase your risk of early death by 40%, which you certainly do not want to spoil. And for how your risk of developing certain health problems increases as you get older, check40 cardiac risk factors you need to pay attention after 40.

Many people would probably see watching TV is their preferred hobby. But while your brain likes to be sucked in these Netflix marathons, your heart is not as big as a fan. In a 2019 study of theJournal of the American Heart AssociationThe researchers found those who watch more than four hours of television per day are at a50% greater risk of heart disease and premature death as those who watch less than two hours a day. So enjoy your favorite show, then go to a less focused activity on the screen. And for things you can do to counter the effects of these bad habits, checkThe most dangerous times of the year for your heart.

If you are sitting too sitting during the day, watch TV at night, you do not move close enough that you should be. And according toJennifer Haythe, MD,A Critical Care Cardiologist At Columbia University Center in New York, living a sedentary lifestyle is one of the best ways to harm your heart.

"The heart is a muscle and like any other muscle, he needs exercise to stay in shape," she says. To keep it in good shape, it recommends committing cardiovascular exercises at least four times a week. "This will improve your cardiac function, reduce blood pressure, treat stress and depression and improve the overall quality of life for your age."

If the red meat is on your plate every night of the week, it's time to reduce. According toNate Favini, MD,a internist and medical lead In advance in San Francisco, California, there is a correlation between the increased consumption of red meat and heart disease. "The more red meat you eat, the higher your LDL cholesterol," Favini said. For this reason, he says to eat red meat with moderation, or even better, avoid it completely. And for another food that puts your health at risk at the moment, checkThe cutting of your diet could reduce your risk of death of Covid.

You knowYour dentist does not like when you avoid dental silkBut your doctor does not like bad habit either. According to Favini, people with gum disease have a higher risk of heart attacks, traits and cardiovascular events. "This could be the result of the poorest health in general, but we also know that periodontal disease increases the inflammation of your body and inflammatory markers in your blood, which are conductors of heart disease," says he. To keep your heart in good health, Favini recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, dental floss and see your dentist for serious problems.

Snorers tend to accept that they are exactly those: snoreras. But there is more apparently innocous than you do not think. Researchers from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI, found that snoring causes thickening or anomalies in carotid arteries (which are located in your neck and carry blood to head, brain and face) that could put Your heart at risk.

"Our study adds to the growing corpus of evidence suggesting that isolated snoring may not be so benin as the first suspected" author of the main studyRobert Deeb, MD, a specialist in otolaryngology in Detroit, Mi, said in aPress release. "Patients need to look for a treatment in the same way they could have slept the apnea, high blood pressure or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease."

May behave high stress levels Do not bother you too much on a daily basis, but it can have a negative impact on your heart - especially when you let it accumulate over time. "High levels of long-term stress cortisol can increase your risk of heart disease by increasing your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose," says Favini. "You do not necessarily need to avoid all stress, but handle your stress levels with things like exercise or meditation is important." And for more useful information delivered in your inbox,Sign up for our daily newsletter.

If you know you're depressed but you have not done anything to helpGet your mental health on the right trackYou can destroy your heart. "People who have depression or depressive symptoms are at increased risk of heart disease," says Favini. "There wasa small study This provided early treatment of depression and treats early symptoms at half of the risk of heart disease in two. »Know your mood and get help early if you notice that you feel feelings of depression.

Get out of the outside is not always easy, especially with everything that happens in the world. But do not do it could hurt your heart. A 2018 study published in theClinical Hypertension Journal Linked levels of vitamin D to cardiovascular disease. The Mayo Clinic recommendsSoak sunlight without more than 15 minutes a day, three times per week. (If you are longer than that, make sure you wear solar screen on exposed areas.) You can also add moreFoods rich in vitamin D to your diet.

Everyone knowsSmoking cigarettes is bad for your heartBut it's not just smokers with three packs that should be worried. It's also light, social smokers who only do it from time to time. According to Harvard Medical School, while legmother smoking is not as serious as smoking heavy,This can still increase your risk of heart disease. This can also result in a weakened aorta, the premature death of cardiovascular disease and a long list of other unrelated health problems.

It's not just smoking that hurts your heart - he also breathes second-hand smoke. According to disease control and prevention control centers (CDC), non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke, whether at home, at work or dragging with friends-increase their risk of developing cardiac disease up to 30%. Not only that, but exposure to second-hand smoke also leads to more than 8,000 deaths each year.

Steak and other red meats are not the only foods to avoid when it comes to cardiac health. It is also a correlation between the increased consumption of saturated fat butter, cheese, creams and other dairy products - and heart disease, Favindi says. "Try to consume these foods with moderation - or not - to avoid health risks," he says.

Of course, processed foods have an incredible taste. There is no denying that. Unfortunately, they are terrible for your heart. "Fries, processed cheeses, snacks and junk food do not provide any nutritional benefit and actually cause damage," says Haythe. What is the alternative? She saysstick to the Mediterranean diet is a good place to start. "It's the best way to reduce cholesterol and feed your body with healthy ingredients such as fish, legumes, nuts, olive oil and fruits."

If you are the owner of a major sweet tooth, you are not alone. Unfortunately,This love of sugar could you get into trouble. In a 2014 study published inJAMA internal medicineResearchers have discovered participants who have 17 to 21% of their calories an added sugar every day were at a38% higher risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. So, cut on the candies and make sure to read nutrition tags because companies have made a fault of sugar throughout, yogurt with pasta sauces.

The biggest concern of each of the trop-meal tends to be weight gain - or maybe a stomach ache. But fill out your plate with seconds and third parties can cause more important problems. According toShaista Malik, MD, a cardiologist in the County of Orange, CA, heavy meals can also trigger heart attacks or heart failure, especially if you already deal with a heart issue, such as heart disease.

"When you eat a lot of food at a time, the stomach develops and the body changes from heart blood to the digestive system," said MalikUCI Health. "In people who already have a blockage in heart arteries, any blood balance away from the heart can cause angina angina or thoracic pain."

While red wine in moderation was found to be beneficial for the heart,Everyone does not take advantage of drinking-And especially not if they go to the sea. In a 2018 study published inThe lancet, the researchers found those who had 10 drinks or more per week died1 to 2 years earlier that those who drank 5 or fewer drinks a week. And drink heavily - even occasionally during the holidays, for example - can also cause problems.

"Alcohol can be toxic to the heart - it can weaken the cardiac muscle. And also, can predict a person to arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation," said Malik to the health of the UCI.

While a little salt is totally well, the experts recommend to be kept under 2.3 grams a day for a reason.Antonio Perez, MD, MBA, a cardiologist in Cleveland, Oh, said to theCleveland Clinic There are Americans who consume more than 6 grams of sodium per day and previous research has shown that this can put you at increased risk of developing heart failure in the future. In addition to being tired of the amount of salt you eat at each meal, it also says to pay attention to high sodium levels in canned foods, salad dressings, chips and even breakfast cereals .

There are many reasons why you should not let anger get the best of you, one of them being that it can hurt your heart. A 2015 study published in theEuropean Heart Journal: Active Cardiovascular Care Found episodes of intense anger - when you are "very angry, have a tense body and you tighten your fists or your teeth": increase your risk of heart attack. Of course, everyone gets angry from time to time, but nothing is worth doing healthy - or risking your life.

If you are someone who rarely eats fruits and vegetables, this bad habit must stop. Instead of filling your body with processed foods that will only hurt your heart, good things to keep muscle in the high level condition. A2014 meta-analysis foundEating only five servings of fruits and vegetables per day could reduce your risk of dying of heart disease by 20%.

"Most accepted sciences support five servings a day as a minimum amount that offers the greatest advantage. After this amount, the benefits of health tend to stabilize"Vasanti Malik, a research scientist in Harvard T.h. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Ma, saidHarvard Health. "It does not mean that you should not eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible, but rather to ensure you aim at least five servings a day for optimal health."

While no one opposes their annual balance sheet, make these appointments a commitment is really important to keep your heart healthy. "Avoiding the doctor is a sure way to end up with serious heart problems on the road," Hythe said. "Cardiovascular disease is the only cause of death among men and women in the United States. And up to 80% of heart disease are preventable."

When you go to your visit to your annual doctor, they will check your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and blood glucose and blood glucose for any other well-known risk factor. If something is wrong, you can remedy it before your heart is in serious problems. "Early and effective treatment of risk factors such as hypertension, hypertcholesterolemia, diabetes and obesity can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and cerebrovascular accident of your life," she says.