Talk about cool!
Heart attacks increase in winter because the heart works harder to keep the body warm — and activities like shoveling snow can further strain it. Cold weather can also thicken the blood, increasing the risk of blood clots.
Heart attacks are most common in people 65 and older, but there has been an alarming increase in adults younger than 45. Be aware that there are things you can do to reduce your risk.
Dr. Evan S. Levine, a cardiologist for Mount Sinai Health in Scarsdale, has 10 tips for preventing a heart attack before 60. He shared his tips in a TikTok this month that has attracted more than 2.6 million views.
Quit your smoking habit
Smokers are almost twice as likely to have a heart attack as non-smokers because smoking damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure and reduces oxygen in the blood.
Levine also advises against using cocaine, which increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Avoid sugary drinks
A Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health study from earlier this year found that sugar-sweetened beverages increase your risk of heart disease regardless of how much you exercise.
These drinks can contribute to high blood pressure, chronic inflammation and elevated cholesterol.
Give up 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 bars, pubs and fast food restaurants can mean a higher risk of heart failure.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day
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 aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle strengthening per week.
Scan yourself
A coronary artery calcium scan looks for calcium buildup in the arteries of the heart.
Levine says people younger than 40 with high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease and other risk factors may be candidates for this evaluation. It could benefit “almost everyone else over the age of 40,” he added.
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 eating fast food — Levine suggests soft music instead.
Treat hypertension and diabetes
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and high blood sugar from 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 non-diabetics.
Shed that belly fat
“Lose weight, especially if you have it in that central area,” Levine said. “Central obesity [is] associated with hypertension, increased triglycerides, fatty liver, increased lipids. This is that metabolic syndrome, and it’s a killer.”
Get medical advice from professionals
Avoid non-physicians “like the plague,” Levine said. His advice follows a May poll that found 1 in 3 Gen Zers don’t vet the health advice they get from TikTok.
Watch your alcohol intake
And finally, too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, damage the heart muscle, and contribute to irregular heart rhythms.
“Maybe a glass of wine a day, but nothing more than that,” advised Levine.
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