"Whether you’re a super proactive person or someone who takes life one moment at a time, we all develop conscious and subconscious habits that get us through the day," Dr. Geloo tells Parade. "Most of these habits are benign, and we do them almost automatically, like brushing our teeth in the morning or grabbing a cup of coffee on the way to work."
"Little daily habits like this can all link back to larger implications for your overall health, including heart health and certain chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease or hypertension," Dr. Geloo says.
?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
"All these tiny daily decisions can add up, which is why it's important to focus on creating healthy habits and routines that influence even your subconscious decisions," Dr. Geloo tells Parade.
Dr. Geloo understands. Sure, he has to walk down hallways to see patients, but sitting most of the day is common even in his line of work.
Sedentary behavior is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Hold off on drafting a letter of resignation from your dream job, though: Dr. Geloo says you can balance the sitting you do while working.
2. Deprioritizing sleep
"I'll sleep when I'm dead" is not something you'll hear out of Dr. Geloo's mouth.
For what it's worth, Dr. Geloo shares that consistently good sleep is also vital for your brain because its neurons "operate differently than other bodily tissues."
The medical profession is stressful and time-consuming. Your job (or life, in general) may be, too. However, Dr. Geloo notes that stress doesn't "just" wreak havoc on your mental health.
Seeing a licensed mental health professional can help you manage chronic stress.
4. Drinking sugary beverages
"Excess sugar consumption is tied to high blood pressure and chronic inflammation, which can be direct contributors to heart disease," he notes. "Sugary beverages in particular can contribute to weight gain since they’re easy to consume in large quantities, and as we know, weight gain exacerbates many ailments, including cardiovascular burden and disease."
5. Eating salty foods regularly
Chronically high-sodium diets can increase blood pressure, forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood. "Over time, high blood pressure can damage blood vessel walls and speed up the buildup of dangerous plaque that blocks blood flow," he warns.
3 Great Heart Health Habits a Cardiologist Recommends
When it comes to heart health, it's so easy to get demotivated by all of the rules about what we "can't" do. However, Dr. Geloo shares that some habits (which even double as hobbies) are fun and benefit your heart. Here are three he personally loves.
Yoga. Yoga's low-impact nature helps make it readily accessible to many people. "It is a mind-body activity that combines movement with meditation-like thoughts, both of which can benefit your heart by boosting blood flow and lowering levels of stress," Dr. Geloo says.Gardening. Get outside—your heart will be happier (and you will be, too). "Time outdoors is linked to various mental health benefits, including reducing stress, which can positively impact your heart health." Bonus: Grow your own fruits and veggies. Dr. Geloo says adding them to your diet can boost your nutrient intake, benefiting your heart and overall health.Walking. Moving your body doesn't have to involve box jumps or marathon training. Walking works. "Moving your body can help you live longer, even if it’s only for short, brisk walks," Dr. Geloo notes. "Minimal movement is better than nothing."Related: This Common Sleep Habit Could Be Raising Your Blood Pressure Overnight, Doctors Say
Sources:
Dr. Nadim Geloo, MD, a cardiologist and the senior director of medical affairs for Abbott’s Structural Heart DivisionNew survey finds most Americans believe chronic diseases are preventable, but only 1 in 4 feel confident in how to care for their health. Abbott.Sedentary Behavior, Exercise, and Cardiovascular Health. Circulation Research.What happens when we sleep, and why we need just the right amount each night. American Heart Association. Stress and cardiovascular disease: an update. Nature Reviews Cardiology.The sweet danger of sugar. Harvard Health Publishing.Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association. Nature Exposure, Even as Little as 10 Minutes, is Likely to Yield Short-Term Benefits for Adults with Mental Illness: A Meta Analysis. Ecopsychology.Hence then, the article about i m a cardiologist here are 5 habits i stopped doing years ago was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 'I’m a Cardiologist—Here Are 5 Habits I Stopped Doing Years Ago' )
Also on site :