Most of us never give much of a thought to our heart health until it becomes an issue. Because of this the majority really isn’t fully informed as to what may be doing damage unknowingly. We wanted to take a few minutes and fill you in on the top 10 biggest offenders so you can change things up a bit and proactively protect your heart.

Dental Issues

Brushing and flossing are vital to the entire body especially your heart. Those with gum disease have a far higher risk of developing heart disease and other illnesses because the bacteria that builds up can break free and get into the bloodstream. Make sure to see your dentist regularly and brush and floss daily.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C triggers inflammation in the cells and tissues of the body, particularly the heart muscle. If you have Hep C make sure to keep an eye on it with regular doctor visits.

Insomnia

If you sleep less than 6 hours per night on a regular basis you are at an elevated risk level for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. To maintain a healthy body sleep should be between 8 to 9 hours per day.

Snoring

gasping for air during sleep can signal the early onset of heart problems. If you snore regularly you may want to enroll in a sleep study just to be safe.

Extra Belly Fat

Extra body weight in the stomach area puts an additional burden on the heart. Cardiovascular activity combined with healthy eating should help shed extra weight.

Unhappy Relationships

Nothing puts more stress on the human body than a bad relationship. Your happiness is important not just for your mental health but for your physical as well. Adults in a happy union tend to experience a boost in heart health.

Exercise – Hard Bouts and No Routine

Exercise is great for your heart. BUT if you engage in super rigorous exercise once in a while with no real warm up to it day after day you are putting your heart through a very strenuous routine. It can be dangerous. It is best to work up to harder workouts and go to the gym regularly.

Want to know more about heart health? Check back often! www.tampacardio.com. Need a great cardiologist? We would love to see you in our office in Tampa, Florida. 813-975-2800.