Mind & Body Surprising Ways You’re HURTING YOUR HEART You know that a bad diet, too little exercise, and smoking can hurt your ticker, but there are lots of sneaky sources of heart disease that you may not be aware of. Over time, some bad habits can add up and take their toll on your heart. “There are a lot of reasons to believe you can trump your family history or promote a healthier, longer life if you focus as early as possible on the risk factors you can control,” says Jake LeBeau, MD, board certified cardiologist with Cardiovascular Specialists. He says the following are some of the most common ways you may be hurting your heart:
Relying solely on your workout. If you exercise that’s great. But if you sit down for most of the rest of your day, that’s a problem. You need to be active all day long. “If you have a desk job, take a short walk every hour to boost your circulation, even if it’s just to your break room and back,” says Dr. LeBeau. Thinking you are too young. “You’re never too young to take care of your heart,” says Dr. LeBeau. The ideal time to do your heart a favor is now.
One drink too many. For most people, moderate drinking (one a day for women, up to two daily for men) is okay. “A daily drink may even have some benefits for the heart. But more than that can raise levels of certain fats in the blood and Email or Text Notification when your RX is ready! blood pressure,” says Dr. LeBeau. This is even truer if you have several drinks at a time, so stick to your daily limit.
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You don’t know your numbers. “Most patients have no clue what their cholesterol level and blood pressure numbers are, and that can be risky,” says Dr. LeBeau. They could be too high without you knowing. You could feel just fine and have high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Starting at age 20, get your cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years.
Ignoring stress and depression. When you feel low or have a lot going on in your life, it’s hard to do things like exercise that are good for you. “When stress is excessive, it can contribute to things like high blood pressure, says Dr. LeBeau. “And, if you have felt down for more than a few weeks, you should talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.” Talk therapy, exercise, and medication (if needed) can improve your mood, so you have more energy to take care of yourself. Menopause before age 46. “If you’re a woman and you go into menopause before you turn 46, your odds of having a heart attack or stroke may be twice as high as those who go through it later,” says Dr. LeBeau. A drop in estrogen may play a role, so you should ask your doctor to test you for heart disease risk factors. Snoring. If your partner says you regularly snore or you sound like you’re gasping for air while sleeping, see your doctor. “You might have a serious condition called apnea.” Dr. LeBeau says, “Apnea can happen when your airway is partially blocked and it causes you to have pauses in your breathing. It’s linked to high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, strokes, and even heart failure. Treatments can help you breathe easier and lower your risk for heart disease, too.” Ignoring belly fat. Any extra weight is hard on your heart, but the kind around your midsection is especially dangerous. “Excess belly fat may trigger your body to make hormones and other chemicals that can raise blood pressure and have a bad effect on your blood vessels and cholesterol levels. If you’re a woman and your waist is more than 35 inches around, or 40 inches if you’re a man, talk to your doctor about a diet and exercise plan,” says Dr. LeBeau. To learn more about your personal heart risk factors and how to reduce them, call Cardiovascular Specialists, an affiliate of Imperial Health, at 337-436-3813.
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Thrive Magazine for Better Living
March 2016