5 Everyday Habits That Help (or Hurt) Your Heart Health

Habits that Hurt Your Heart

Let’s delve into 5 everyday habits that can hurt your heart health to ensure you make informed decisions.

Unhealthy Diet

The most common cause of cardiac emergencies is an unhealthy diet. Most people who rely on processed foods often consume excess processed sugar, unhealthy fats, and salt. While these meals are easy to prepare or readily available, prolonged consumption can cause high blood pressure, inflammation, and other heart issues.

Physical Inactivity

Relaxing is often good for the body, but a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to heart complications over time. When you refrain from physical activity, fat can build up in arteries and hinder your body’s ability to process fats. This increases the risk of cardiac issues, prompting a visit to professional heart doctors for immediate treatment.

Smoking and Secondhand Smoke

Whether you are inhaling nicotine from smoking cigarettes or exposed to secondhand smoke from a bystander, it can directly harm blood vessels and ultimately the heart. For regular smokers, refraining from this vice and visiting primary care doctors regularly is advisable to prevent such issues. Additionally, professional physicians can offer advice or effective ways to overcome the urge, helping you remain healthy.

Excessive Alcohol

While drinking alcohol with friends is considered bonding or a fun pastime, excessive consumption can significantly burden your body and heart. According to professional heart doctors, a healthy adult should take one drink a day for women and up to two drinks daily for men. However, the less alcohol you consume, the better.

Stress & Loneliness

Did you know that social interactions can prevent stress and heart disease? Research shows that social isolation is one of the leading causes of chronic stress, inflammation, and high blood pressure, which are detrimental to heart health. If you rarely engage with peers or loved ones outside a work setting, consult your primary care doctor in Camp Springs, MD for an assessment.

Habits that Help Your Heart

Now that you know the habits that can harm your hurt, let’s delve into the lifestyle changes you can make to maintain optimal health.

Balanced Diet

As stated, the food you eat plays a crucial role in your heart health and overall well-being. With that said, heart doctors recommend a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins to minimize the risk of cardiac complications.

Regular Exercise

Exercising doesn’t have to be at a high level or pace. Physicians recommend dedicating at least 150 minutes weekly to moderate physical activity. This goes a long way to ensure you maintain a strong heart and healthy weight.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is a common vice that is linked to heart disease and several other health complications. Whether you are directly smoking or exposed to secondhand smoke, preventing contact with nicotine can significantly improve heart health.

Stress Management

Stress can creep up when you least expect. This often leads to heart issues if left unchecked. If you rarely engage in social interactions or activities, consider self-care practices like yoga, walking in green spaces, or spending time with loved ones.

Adequate Sleep

Lastly, getting sufficient sleep every night helps to restore heart health. Sleep deprivation can cause various health problems, including heart disease. If you experience difficulty sleeping, consult professional physicians for personalized care and better long-term outcomes.

Contact us at Southern Maryland Medical Group to book a consultation with our heart doctors and learn more ways you can maintain good health for many years to come.