As the saying goes – ‘life prevails until the heart fails,’ we must make every possible effort to take care of our heart and live a long life. It becomes essential as heart diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. While following a strict health regimen, there are certain things that everyone must stop doing to lower the risk of heart-related problems.
Mainly three risk factors – diet, lifestyle, and physical fitness contribute to an adverse health condition. In this health guide, we will elaborate on what not to do to keep your heart working efficiently, along with a list of top Essex heart clinic.
- Tobacco and Alcohol Use
It is scientifically proven that those tobacco smokers are at a greater risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, consumption of alcohol in excess is harmful to the heart and can damage the heart muscle. Both smoking and alcoholism can spike blood pressure and should be strictly avoided.
- Gaining Weight
Weight gain or obesity is the root cause of many health complications, such as type II diabetes, elevated blood pressure, and increased cholesterol. Therefore, you should always keep your body weight per the body mass index. The ideal way to do this is by cutting sugar and saturated fat from your food.
- Intake of Foods Rich in Fat and Salt
When the amount of fats exceeds the recommended limits, the cholesterol and triglyceride levels go up in the body. Increased cholesterol blocks the arteries. Likewise, overuse of salt in the foods can shoot blood pressure.
- Unnecessary Stress
Stress itself does not affect your heart but the actions that follow. Instead of turning towards drinking or smoking to get rid of stress, try practicing meditation or exercising to lower stress levels and keep your mind calm. Keep yourself from a stressful situation or engage in other activities to divert your attention from it.
- Sedentary Lifestyle
Do not be a couch person as being idle for too long can put you at the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Also, do not stay awake late in the night. Indulge in more physical activities to improve blood circulation in your body.
Top Essex Heart Clinic
- Herts and Essex Community Hospital
- Barts Health NHS Trust
- Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust
- Holly Private Hospital
- Cardiac Centre
Usually, heart disease risk factors are often the results of one’s bad habits or carelessness. However, an awareness of them and prompt action can make your heart keep beating for years. As you can see, from eating healthy foods to having an active lifestyle, every small step can add years to your life. Consult a cardiac specialist at any of the Essex heart clinic if you struggle with avoiding these habits.
