Talk about cold-hearted!
Heart attacks increase in the winter because the heart works harder to keep the body warm, and activities such as shoveling snow can put more stress on it. Cold weather can also cause blood to thicken, increasing the risk of blood clots.
Heart attacks are most common in people aged 65 or over, but there has been a worrying increase among adults under 45. Make sure there are things you can do to reduce your risks.
Presented by Dr. Evan S. Levine, MD, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Health in Scarsdale, shares 10 tips for preventing a heart attack before age 60. He shared his suggestions on TikTok this month, which attracted more than 2.6 million views.
Get rid of the smoking habit
Smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers because smoking damages blood vessels, increases blood pressure, and reduces oxygen in the blood.
Levine also advises against using cocaine, which raises heart rate and blood pressure.
Avoid sugary drinks
A study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health earlier this year found that sugar-sweetened beverages increase the risk of heart disease no matter how much exercise you get.
These drinks can contribute to high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, and high cholesterol.
Stay away from fast food
Fast food is usually high in fat, calories, and salt, which can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Simply living near pubs, bars and fast food restaurants can mean an increased risk of heart failure.
Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily
Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, making it more efficient at pumping blood, lowers cholesterol, and contributes to weight loss.
According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle strengthening per week.
Get scanned
A coronary artery calcium scan looks for calcium buildup in the arteries of the heart.
People under 40 with high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease and other risk factors may be candidates for this evaluation, Levin says. He added that “anyone over the age of 40” could benefit from it.
Resolve stress
Stress hormones like cortisol can raise blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, putting pressure on the heart.
Stress can also lead to unhealthy activities like smoking and binging on fast food, and Levine suggests soothing music instead.
Treating high blood pressure and diabetes
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, high blood sugar due to diabetes can significantly damage the blood vessels and nerves in the heart.
Adults with diabetes are approximately twice as likely to have a heart attack as those without diabetes.
Get rid of that belly fat
“Losing weight, especially if it's in that central area,” Levine said. “Central obesity [is] It is associated with high blood pressure, high triglycerides, fatty liver, and hyperlipidemia. This is metabolic syndrome, and it is fatal.
Get medical advice from specialists
Avoid non-doctors “like the plague,” Levine said. His advice comes on the heels of a May poll that found 1 in 3 Gen Z members don't check the health advice they receive from TikTok.
Watch alcohol consumption
Finally, drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, damage the heart muscle, and contribute to irregular heartbeat.
“It might be one glass of wine a day, but nothing more than that,” Levine advised.
