Are your daily routines sabotaging your cardiovascular health? Here are 15 habits that might be silently harming your heart.
Skipping Breakfast
Starting your day without breakfast can make you overeat later in the day, which can stress your heart.
Sitting Too Much
A sedentary lifestyle is bad news for your heart. Even if you have to sit a lot, take breaks every now and then.
Overdoing Salt
Too much salt can increase blood pressure – a major cause of heart disease.
Not Managing Stress
Chronic stress can also increase blood pressure, which harms your heart’s wellbeing.
Smoking
Smoking is bad for the heart. It harms your blood vessels and can lead to heart disease.
Overindulging in Alcohol
A little alcohol might be okay. But too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure and your weight – not heart-friendly.
Ignoring Sleep
Poor sleep or not enough sleep can cause stress and harm your heart.
Processed Foods
Processed foods often have too many unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium that aren’t great for your heart.
Not Flossing
Believe it or not, poor dental health can contribute to heart disease. Therefore, flossing can indirectly keep your heart healthy.
Overlooking Mental Health
Your mental health impacts your heart. Depression and anxiety can affect heart health.
Avoiding Checkups
You should have regular medical checks to keep tabs on your heart health.
Too Much Sugar
Excess sugar can lead to weight gain, inflammation, high cholesterol, and diabetes. All of which are bad for the heart, especially combined.
Not Enough Water
Water keeps your whole body, including the heart, healthy.
Lack of Physical Activity
Exercising, even mildly, controls weight reduces blood pressure, and strengthens the heart muscle.
Ignoring Warning Signs
If you experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue, don’t ignore them. They could be warning signs of heart problems.
From what you eat and drink to how much you move and sleep, each of your daily habits play a part in your heart health.