It's especially important to be aware of your heart attack risk as you become older. Heart disease is the top cause of death in both men and women worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accounting for one out of every four deaths in the United States.
Unfortunately, while some things improve with age, heart health is frequently not one of them. If you don't want to become a statistic, there's still time to change the habits that increase your heart attack risk after 40. Make the necessary changes today to guarantee that you have a long and healthy life ahead of you.
1. Becoming enraged
We've all been accused of losing our cool from time to time, but it's in your best interest to try to limit how often you lose your cool. Regular feelings of anger, according to a 2015 study published in the European Cardiovascular Journal, are linked to an increased risk of heart attack. Periods of great wrath were linked to a higher risk of acute cardiac occlusion, a disease in which blood flow to the heart is impeded, according to the study's authors.
2. Skipping breakfast
Starting your day off right with a nutritious breakfast may ultimately save your life. According to a review of evidence published in the British journal Circulation in 2013, breakfast intake was connected to a decreased risk of coronary heart disease.
3. Inability to cope with stress
Your daily stresses, which can range from bad relationships to long work hours, could have a significant impact on your heart health. Chronic stress boosts cortisol levels and triggers an inflammatory reaction in the body when it lasts for a long time. Stress affects the immune system over time, allowing heart disease to develop.
4. A lack of flossing
You may not realize it, but your oral and cardiovascular health are inextricably linked. According to a 2016 study published in the BMJ Postgraduate Scientific Journal, oral bacteria can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, or artery hardening and constriction, which can dramatically increase the risk of a heart attack.
5. Taking the car to work every day
If you want to improve your heart health, consider riding to work whenever possible.
According to a study published in the journal Archives of Medical Science in 2009, people who commuted to work by bicycle or foot had a decreased risk of obesity and lower blood pressure, implying a lower risk of heart attack.
6. Failure to receive a flu vaccine
The infection may increase your risk of a potentially fatal cardiovascular event in addition to eating up your sick days.
According to a 2018 study published in The British Medical Journal, patients had a significantly increased risk of heart attack during the first seven days after receiving a confirmed flu diagnosis. All the more incentive to get your flu vaccination!
7. Monitor your blood sugar levels.
If you're over 40, it's time to start monitoring your blood sugar levels, especially if you have a family history of diabetes or other health issues like obesity, high blood pressure, or a sedentary lifestyle.
Sugars build up in the bloodstream, increasing your chances of developing heart disease. Eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and consuming whole food plant-based nutrition can all help to reduce blood sugar levels.
8. You aren't exercising at all.
Taking a few days off from the gym could lead to major heart problems in the future. Inactivity has been related to a higher risk of heart disease.
Physical activity also aids in the management of blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and even stress levels, reducing the chance of a heart attack. So, how much time do you believe you should devote to working out at the gym? According to experts, 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day—or 150 minutes per week—decreases the risk of heart disease.
If you're a smoker, now is the moment to put your cigarettes down. Smoking increases one's chances of developing heart disease, as well as high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.
10. Excessive caffeine consumption
While a cup of coffee every now and then won't hurt you, a caffeine addiction can increase your risk of heart attack. Excessive caffeine use raises stress levels in the body, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
At the age of 40, you should participate in any exercise that will enhance your fitness. You'll have a far lower probability of developing any type of heart disease, let alone a heart attack, if you do it this way.
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