Although the average age of diagnosis of heart disease in the United States is typically in the mid-60s for men and early 70s for women, the factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and bad cholesterol levels can start years, sometimes decades, earlier. The factors that can lead to heart problems, such as clogged arteries, can start in childhood and gradually worsen, research has shown. Yet relatively few people take early steps to protect themselves against heart disease, such as improving their diet or exercising more.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is a general term that includes many types of heart problems. It is a form of cardiovascular disease, which means cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but there are ways to prevent and manage many types of heart disease.
Here are 6 surprising contributors to cardiovascular disease that are much more related to heart health than cholesterol…
- Working at a desk: A 12-year study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that people who sit for 10 hours a day are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. If you spend 8 hours a day at a desk and 2 hours a day in the car, that’s a real problem.
- Inside are: Cross-sectional studies have reported that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, and coronary artery disease.
- Loneliness: A study published by the journal Heart found that loneliness and social isolation were associated with a 29% increased risk of heart attack and 32% increased risk of stroke – similar to light smoking or obesity!
- Root canals: Root canal treated teeth are silent incubators for highly toxic bacteria that can cause inflammation in the bloodstream and even cause cardiovascular damage!
- Thyroid dysfunction: Thyroid hormones affect heart function, and a poorly functioning thyroid gland can cause high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat.
- Unemployment: An 18-year study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who lost one job had a 22% greater risk of having a heart attack, and people who lost four or more jobs had a 63% greater risk of having a heart attack.
Although genetics plays a role in cardiovascular disease risk, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and cigarette smoking can also independently influence cardiovascular disease risk. A favorable lifestyle is associated with an almost 50% lower relative risk of coronary heart disease than an unfavorable lifestyle. If you have coronary artery disease (the most common heart disease), you can improve your health by making changes in your daily life. This may include eating less salt and saturated fat and being more active.
Your heart has a crucial job, so it’s important to pay attention to warning signs of a heart problem. Many heart diseases develop over time. Identifying heart disease early gives you the best chance of managing it well. Talk to a healthcare provider about the best ways to prevent heart disease or keep it from getting worse. Even if you have risk factors you can’t change, there are other things you can change.