When people talk about heart health, they typically bring up issues such as tobacco use, a lack of physical activity, or a diet that is high in cholesterol. There are, on the other hand, other less obvious factors that may very quietly put your heart in danger. Despite receiving less attention, these factors are still important. Here are five hidden heart health risks that you might not be giving proper attention to.
1. Gum Disease Can Hurt More Than Your Smile
Inflammation is a component of gum disease, and this inflammation can spread throughout your bloodstream and affect your arteries. The effects are related to the heart. Flossing, brushing, and visiting the dentist for the purpose of cleaning the heart are all activities that also provide benefits.
According to the American Heart Association, people with gum disease are at a higher risk. There are more reasons to floss your teeth than just to freshen your breath.
2. Small Habits That Add Up
Numerous daily habits may seem harmless at first but may eventually be harmful to your heart’s health. Some things that can quietly put a lot of stress on your heart are sitting for long periods of time, eating a lot of processed foods, and always feeling stressed. Even though these signs aren’t as obvious as smoking or gaining weight, they all add up over time.
Instead, you should ensure you remain active throughout the day as recommended by the CDC. To do this, you should take breaks every hour to move around and change your posture. You should also keep an eye on what you eat and how much stress you are under.
3. Air Pollution Plays a Bigger Role Than You Think
Very small particles may get into your blood if you breathe in pollutants like smoke from factories, cars, or wildfires. This will ultimately lead to inflammation, which could raise your blood pressure. Your heart may eventually pay a high price for it.
According to the World Health Organization, more people dying from heart disease around the world each year are caused by long-term exposure to unclean air than you would believe. Not having enough clear air doesn’t mean people have to do physical activities, and using air scrubbers doesn’t mean people have to stay outside.
4. Bad Sleep Habits Take a Toll
Sleep plays an important part in healing, especially in the context of the heart and blood vessels. You are more likely to suffer from heart disease and hypertension if you do not get enough sleep, go to bed late, or have sleep apnea.
Most adults need to sleep for seven to nine hours a night to feel well-rested. Since better sleep is good for the heart, you can consult a sleep specialist. The better you sleep, the less likely you are to need a doctor.
5. Stress Isn’t Just in Your Head
You might do things that are bad for your heart, like not getting enough sleep or food, when you worry for a long time. Your blood pressure may also go up. In addition, stress could cause inflammation, which is a significant factor in heart disease.
Other methods for relieving stress are taking deep breaths, strolling, and hanging out with those you care about. According to the Mayo Clinic, coping with worry is useful for both your heart and mind because the two are intertwined.
Paying Attention Helps You Stay Ahead
Hidden risks staying out of sight may be hard to foresee, but they can deliver a hefty blow if overlooked. The upside is, to be forever in the lead, no drastic efforts are required.
As a start, make sure your oral cavity is in great shape, you move around more every day, you sleep better, and you handle your stress better. The more conscious you are, the more you can do to elevate the long-lasting well-being of your heart.
