How to Wreck Your Heart By Jen Uscher WebMD Feature Reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH No one sets out to hurt their heart. But some habits can add up over time, taking their toll. You cant control things like your family history, or aging. But you have more power than you may think. There’s a lot of reason 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 cardiologist Donald Lloyd-Jones, MD, ScM, of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Here are the top 5 habits to change, for your hearts sake: 1. Sit Too Much You may have heard that sitting is the new smoking. Its true: Spending a lot of time seated is bad for you. Inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are more active, according to the surgeon general. Lack of exercise can harm your heart in many ways. For example, it can lead you to develop high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels. But its not just about working out. Its about moving more throughout your day. The fix: A little more movement can make a big difference. Get up from your chair more often at work. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week. 2. Ignore Heart Symptoms Trying to convince yourself that the discomfort in your chest is just heartburn? It might be, but it could also be a warning sign that you have a heart condition or are having a heart attack. Don’t miss an opportunity to protect yourself, says cardiologist Mark Urman, MD, of Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles. The fix: If you have any of the following symptoms, call 911 right away. Prompt treatment could save your life. Chest pain or discomfort Unexplained shortness of breath Discomfort in one or both arms, or in the back, shoulders, neck, or jaw Unusual tiredness
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:52:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015