2023-07-15 18:12:23
Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization, which confirms that it constitutes regarding 16 percent of all deaths from all causes.
More people are killed by heart disease today than ever before, with the number of deaths from heart disease rising by more than two million since 2000, to nearly nine million deaths in 2019.
Heart disease can cause heart attacks, angina, and some strokes, especially if left untreated.
Therefore, regular check-ups of the heart are essential and any changes one experiences should be reported to the GP, in case possible signs of an underlying disease appear.
Certain lifestyle changes can also help keep the heart in top condition. Therefore, doctors recommend five things to avoid if we want to protect heart health.
First: smoking and electronic smoking
One of the best things you can do for your heart is to stop smoking, and even if you don’t smoke, make sure you avoid secondhand smoke.
The chemicals in tobacco can harm your heart and blood vessels. Cigarette smoke reduces the oxygen in the blood, which increases blood pressure and heart rate, as the heart has to work harder to provide enough oxygen to your body and mind.
Cardiologist Nicole Harkin says most of the heart attacks young women have suffered have been caused by smoking.
Second: ignore chest pain
While some people consider chest pain and fatigue only as nuisances, Dr. Harkin says it’s very important not to dismiss chest pain as low-risk signs.
She adds that a “shocking” number of heart attacks occur in people who are considered low risk in traditional screening criteria.
Third: eat a lot of processed meat
Regular consumption of processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, burgers and luncheon meats has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease because the fats put pressure on the arteries.
Fourth: ignore the family medical history
Ignoring family history of heart problems often causes young people to be hospitalized for heart attacks.
Doctors recommend that those at higher risk of heart disease should speak to their doctor and get regular check-ups.
Fifth: not sleeping
Research has found that sleep deprivation can increase the risk of heart attack and that people who sleep less than six hours per night have a 20 percent higher risk of having a heart attack.
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