How to improve heart health other than dieting and exercising
John P. Higgins, MD, a sports cardiologist and professor of cardiovascular medicine at The McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), shares five simple strategies of a daily routine to ensure your heart is functioning at its best.
- Brush your teeth well.
Research suggests that brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes may lower the risk of heart diseases. Research also found that there is a positive relation (or correlation) between keeping your mouth clean and a decreased chance (or probability) of heart failure. The reason why this is so is because poor oral hygiene can lead to bacteria in the bloodstream, infections and systemic inflammation, which is at the core of heart disease.
- Taking a hot bath.
Research suggests that there is a positive relation (or correlation) between daily taking a hot bath and a lower risk of death from heart disease and stroke. This is due to heat exposure to heart disease prevention, with the idea being that the effects of heat on the body are similar to those of exercise. Bathing in tub seemed to lower the risk of high blood pressure, which is a key risk factor for heart disease.
There is also risk, such as, overheating, which may lead to confusion and drowning, and this risk increases with age and water temperature.
- Sleep well.
Poor sleep in terms of quantity and/or quality is associated with obesity, unhealthy dietary choices, diabetes, elevated cholesterol and hypertension, which are risk factors for stroke and heart disease. Adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep. Research suggests that older adults who didn’t have a good sleep habit were nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease as those with regular sleep patterns.
- Adopt a pet.
Research suggests that people who own pets report feeling happier, plus they’re less likely to smoke or have diabetes. Research suggests that those who has a dog tend to live longer and cope better after a heart attack or stroke than those without a pet. Research also suggests that ownership of dog is positively related with lower blood pressure. The reason is that dog walks and the owner walks along, and dog gives social support and help relieve loneliness.
- Avoid air pollution.
Polluted air not only harms the environment but damages your heart, too. If you breathe in polluted tiny particles for a long time, you can increase your risk of blood clots, raise your blood pressure, cause inflammation in your blood vessels, harden your arteries and lead to an irregular heartbeat — all of which can elevate your chances of heart attack and stroke. Research suggests that to prevent this one must check on the air he breathes in. When the air quality is poor, refrain yourself from going outside. Also, consider investing in an air purifier, which can reduce the number of dangerous air particles by as much as 50 percent.
- Laugh a lot.
It turns out that laughter really is the best medicine, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart. Research suggests that laughing is positively related with improved vascular function and lower blood pressure, plus, laughter can reduce artery inflammation, increase HDL (good) cholesterol and decrease stress hormones.
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