Current statistics suggest that India will have the largest cardiovascular disease burden in the world. Sadly, an increasing number of people falling prey to coronary artery disease in India are young. There are an estimated 45 million patients of coronary heart disease in India. With million of people leading the modern lifestyle full of stress, the future looks even grimmer.
1.Excessive Television
People who sit in front of TV for more than four hours a day are 80 per cent more likely to die for reasons linked to heart and artery disease, says a research. Even if someone has a healthy body weight, sitting for long in front of TV or computer has an unhealthy impact on blood sugar levels and blood fats.
2.Unchecked Hostility And Depression
Do you often feel stressed, hostile or depressed? All of these can take a toll on your heart! How we deal with our emotions has become very important. It can directly affect our heart. Those likely to internalize stress are in greater danger ; research has shown benefits related to laughter therapy an social support. It’s important to share your problems with someone.
3.lgnoring The Snoring
More than a minor annoyance, snoring can be a sign of something more serious – Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This disorder, marked by breathing that is interrupted during sleep, can cause blood pressure to skyrocket. A lot of people in India suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and are four times more prone to suffer from cardiovascular risk factors. Obesity is a major risk factor for OSA. If you snore and often wake up feeling tired, you could be suffering from sleep apnea.
4.Overruling Dental Health
While the exact reason is unknown, there is a strong link between gum and heart disease. One theory is that bacteria build up in the mouth can trigger inflammation in the body. Inflammation promotes all aspects of Atherosclerosis. Treating gum disease can improve blood vessel function too.
5.Too Much Alcohol
Sure, Studies suggest a small amount of alcohol may be good for your heart. However, excess alcohol is linked to greater risks of high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, and heart failure. In addition, the extra calories can lead to weight gain, a potent threat to heart health.
6. Overeating
Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Try to eat less, avoid large portions and replace sugary drinks with water. Cutting down on portions and replace sugary drinks with water. Cutting down on portion sizes for high-calorie carbohydrates (refined pastas and breads) and keeping a watch on food labels that particularly say “low fat” but are high on calories is important.
7.Saying No To Fruits And Vegetables
The most heart healthy diet is a plant based diet. Load up on fruits and vegetables , nuts, whole grains, low fat dairy and protein. Keep the junk away. In fact, new dietary guidelines recommend that half of each meal should be composed of fruits and vegetables. Research has found that people who eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day have about 20 per cent lesser risk of heart disease and stroke than people who ate less than three servings per day.
8. Active And Passive Smoking
Sure, you’re heard it a million times before ! But quit it! A disaster for the heart, smoking promotes blood clots, which can block blood flow to the heart and contribute to plaque build-up in the arteries.