Five Lifestyle Factors That Could Hurt Your Heart
You know your heart is important, but did you know that several common things that many people do could be hurting it? There is a lot that we do (or don’t do) every day that could be affecting our hearts.
Here are five factors that could be hurting your heart, and what you can do to improve your situation.
Sitting
Too much sitting, such as working at a desk all day long or sitting for long periods in front of the TV, can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. This is true even for people who exercise regularly. That’s why it’s so important to get up and move around every 15-20 minutes.
Skipping Fruits and Vegetables
Studies have shown that people who eat more than five servings of vegetables and fruits each day have a 20 percent lower risk of heart attack or stroke than those who eat fewer than three servings, so add a side salad to your next meal. There are all kinds of places where you can add additional servings of fruits and vegetables to your diet. Your heart will thank you if you do.
Not Caring for Your Teeth
Heart disease and gum disease are strongly linked. This is because the same bacteria that can cause gum disease may enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation. To reduce this risk, visit your dentist regularly and be sure to floss daily.
Smoking
Smoking causes a variety of issues that can lead to heart disease or stroke. Plus, it’s tougher to recover from these conditions or live with chronic heart disease if you’re a smoker. The solution? Quit smoking. Yes, it’s very tough to do, but there are a number of resources out there that can help increase your success.
Stress
Several studies have shown a connection between stress and heart disease risk. Plus, stress may lead to other risk factors. For example, someone who is stressed is more likely to smoke, eat unhealthy food, or lack sleep than someone who is not. That’s why it’s important to take action to control stress in your life. Figuring out where your stress is coming from, coming up with a plan to reduce it, and trying to avoid stressful situations can help.
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