You may know of habits that can cause heart problems, such as smoking or alcohol drinking, but did you know some other seemingly normal habits can secretly cause heart problems too? Some of these other habits include excessive caffeine, stress, and even something as simple as social isolation.
This Pacific Prime article will delve into the habits that can secretly cause heart problems, some of which you may know and some of which you may not, to raise awareness on maintaining heart health for you and your family’s well-being.
Why Good Heart Health Matters
Maintaining good heart health helps improve the entire body, as the heart is responsible for pumping nutrient-rich blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen while simultaneously removing body toxins and waste.
When you take good care of your heart, you not only save yourself from heart-related costs but also costs associated with various conditions such as chronic kidney diseases, neurological disorders, or diabetes.
The Habits that Can Cause Heart Problems
Beyond common habits like smoking or alcohol consumption, there are other habits that can also cause heart problems as well, some of which you may not be aware of. Among these lesser-known habits that could cause heart problems are stress, excessive caffeine, or even social isolation.
Below we’ll discuss the habits that can cause heart problems.
Stress
Whenever the body’s fight-or-flight system is activated, this can cause inflammation in the body and release adrenaline for prolonged periods of time. Combined, these factors can cause increased blood pressure and cholesterol, obesity, insulin resistance, and electrical disturbances.
Chronic stress can also increase blood-clotting risks throughout the body. Additionally, should a clot form in an already-narrow artery, it can result in a heart attack. Because stress triggers are all around in everyday life, it’s crucial to learn effective stress management.
You can perform stress-relieving activities such as medication, yoga, exercise, or any hobbies you enjoy like reading, listening to music, or drawing. By effectively managing your stress through these activities, you reduce the risk of blood clotting throughout your body, which ultimately reduces your risk of heart attacks.
Excessive Caffeine Consumption
While it’s understandable you may need a little bit of that boost to wake you up on a Monday morning, and caffeinated coffee is safe for the heart (with two cups being particularly beneficial), excessive coffee can also be detrimental as it speeds up the heart with increased heart rate, causes blood vessel contraction, and increases blood pressure.
Beyond heart rate and blood vessel issues, excessive caffeine consumption can also cause anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and stomach irritation. Do your best to limit your caffeine consumption to 300-400 milligrams to stay within the safe range.
If you are struggling with staying awake and you don’t want to risk it with caffeine, you can try going out for a little walk to help bring blood flow to your muscles to wake them back up. Moreover, exercise improves the heart’s ability to pump blood to your lungs and your body overall.
You can also splash your face with some cold tap water, which will draw circulation upward towards your head and renew your energy temporarily, allowing you to stay awake. If you’re looking for coffee alternatives to stay awake, you can try low- or no-calorie fluids like herbal tea or just water.
These fluids help your circulatory system and blood flow, as well as relieve headaches from caffeine consumption.
Social Isolation and Loneliness
Living alone can contribute to depression, which can lead to cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, and poor eating habits. Isolation can lead to stiffened blood vessels and prolonged isolation can also lead to changes in the immune system and result in inflammation, making you more susceptible to diseases and infection.
If you’re living abroad away from friends and family members, you can stay in touch with them through texting or video calls through Zoom or FaceTime, which will help combat feelings of loneliness even if you live far away from friends and family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, even the simplest habits like excessive caffeine consumption, stress, or just living alone can be considered risk factors for heart problems. However, with the right alternatives to coffee, managing stress through pursuing hobbies or exercising, and staying in touch with friends and family members when living alone can help you lower the risk of developing certain heart conditions.
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