When people discuss ways of managing cardiovascular health, you would think it's all about eating right and exercising. It's true that these are some of the best paths to a healthy heart, but they are not enough. There are other threats to your heart that you should be aware of and avoid. Some of the surprising ones are discussed below:
Noise
Apparently, loud noises aren't just bad for your ears – they can affect your heart too. It seems that the effect is there because noise leads to stress. Your body then produces abundant stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Too much of these hormones can lead to stroke, heart failure and hypertension.
One surprising thing is that though the effect is felt both during the day and at night, it is worse at nighttime. What's more, your heart is still affected by the noise even after you have become accustomed to the noise and no longer hear it. Therefore, the next time you are moving house, opt for one in a quieter neighborhood.
Inadequate Sleep
Apart from noise, inadequate sleep is another surprising thing that can lead to heart health deterioration. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the effect is there regardless of your smoking or exercise habits. In particular, sleeping less than six hours every night doubles your risk of stroke and heart attack as compared to those who sleep for between six to eight hours.
The exact cause of the effect is not known, but there are several theories. One of these is that the lack of sleep interferes with your heart's biological processes such as metabolism. It also worsens existing heart conditions such as inflammation.
Sitting
Sitting for prolonged periods is also bad for your heart; it increases your risk of developing a heart attack. Surprisingly, the effect is there even if you do exercise regularly. Those who sit for more than 11 hours daily are the most affected. Aga One hypothesis attributes the effect to the level of fats and sugars in your blood. Apparently, your muscles do not burn as much fat when sitting as it does when you are upright. It is also possible that the reduced blood flow that comes with sitting for extended periods may also contribute to the problem.
These are just three examples of things that may affect your heart's health. It just goes to show that you shouldn't assume that you are healthy just because you are eating well and exercising. This underscores the need for following your doctor's advice to the letter; they have the latest information to keep you healthy. For more information, check with companies like Cardiology Associates Of Schenectady PC.
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