A landmark study
of about 30,000 people in 52 countries suggests Lifestyle factors can easily account
for more than 90 percent of heart attack risk. Making
small, positive changes in your everyday habits can have a surprisingly big
impact on your heart health
Here’s
a look at some of the worst habits for your heart, and how to turn them around.
Couch Potato Madness
You’ve
heard it numerous times before. People who spend four or more hours a day watching
the tube or with other screen-based entertainment double the risk of a major
cardiac. Those who spent the most time on leisure-time screen-based entertainment had a 48 percent higher risk of dying prematurely, even if they also exercised. Recent research also shows that too much sitting can be just as bad for your heart as smoking.
Negative
Attitudes Increase Risk
Stress
and depression have long been linked to higher heart disease risk. As simple as
it seems, an optimistic outlook may cut heart disease and stroke danger by 50
percent.The association between an upbeat attitude and reduced cardiovascular risk held true. Research also shows that laughter literally does the heart good, by expanding the linings of blood vessels and boosting blood flow.
Ignoring Snoring Can Be Fatal
Frequent
loud snoring can trumpet obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a dangerous disorder
that magnifies heart attack and stroke risk,OSA, which affects 18 million Americans, is most common in people who are heavy, treatment typically involves weight loss and in some cases, continuously positive airway pressure (CPAP), a device that blows moist, heated air in your nose and mouth as you sleep.
Forgoing
Fiber
Not
only does a high-fiber diet boost your heart health, but it could add years to
your life, according to a recent study of nearly 400,000 people,
conducted by the National Institutes of Health and American Association of
Retired People.
The
researchers found that men ages 50 and older who ate the most fiber were up to
56 percent less likely to die from cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases
and respiratory ailments, compare to those who ate the least. For women ages 50
and up, a high-fiber diet lowered risk of death from these causes by nearly 60
percent.
Another
study involving more than 300,000 men and women found that eating eight
servings of fruits and vegetables a day trims the risk of a fatal heart attack
by 22 percent, compared to eating less than three. Researchers from the World
Cancer Research Fund also report that if we ate more fiber, and less red meat,
more than 64,000 cancer deaths would be prevented annually.
Failing to Floss
People
with periodontal (gum) disease are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease
as those with healthy gums. While the reasons for the link aren’t yet clear,
one theory is that the same bacteria that trigger gum disease may also spark
inflammation inside the body, damaging arteries. Gum disease affects nearly 50
percent of Americans, many of whom don’t know they have it, because in the
early stages, it’s painless.A new study published in Journal of Aging Research adds to mounting evidence that one of the simplest—and cheapest—secrets of long life is taking care of your teeth, with daily brushing and flossing. Conversely, neglecting your choppers—and skipping dental visits—can be lethal, the researchers report. During the 17-year study, those who never flossed were 30 percent more likely to die than were those who flossed daily.
Smoking Even a Little
Smoking
even one cigarette a day increases the threat of heart attack by 63 percent and
smoking 20 or more cigarettes a day more than quadruples it.Need more motivation to quit? Tobacco use also boosts risk for diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and many types of cancer. A 2010 study reports that using a nicotine patch for six months makes it easier for smokers to kick the habit. Munching on low-calorie foods, such as carrot or celery sticks, or chewing sugarless gum, can also help curb nicotine cravings.
You can reduce your health risks by changing your lifestyle. Start today for a healthier life.
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