Cardiologist called heart-destroying habits

The health of the heart depends on a number of factors, and there are daily habits that negatively affect the condition of this organ. Anastasia Fomicheva, a cardiologist at the SM Clinic, told Izvestia about them on March 28.

"Smoking is considered one of the most dangerous habits for the heart. Once in the body, nicotine and other toxic compounds not only harm the lungs, but also significantly increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease," the specialist explained.

Another risk factor for the heart is an unbalanced diet. According to the cardiologist, excessive consumption of saturated fats and sugar contributes to an increase in blood cholesterol levels, which over time can lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, vasoconstriction and, as a result, an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

"The love of salty foods can also play a cruel joke, since excess salt provokes fluid retention in the body, which contributes to the development of edema and increased blood pressure," the doctor added.

According to her, a low level of physical activity also has a negative effect on the cardiovascular system. So, prolonged sitting and lack of regular exercise contribute to the appearance of excess weight, hypertension, and also increase the likelihood of developing diabetes.

In addition, frequent alcohol consumption has a negative effect on heart health. As the doctor warned, excessive drinking can cause spikes in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, damage to the heart muscle, which ultimately leads to alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

"Constant stress is another hidden enemy of the heart. Because of them, the levels of stress hormones — adrenaline and cortisol - increase in the body, which can provoke hypertension, palpitations and increase the risk of developing heart disease. Sleep disorders and circadian rhythm disruptions also negatively affect the cardiovascular system, contributing to the development of obesity, hypertension and arrhythmia," concluded Fomicheva.

Earlier, on March 9, Roxana Portnova, a general practitioner and cardiologist at the Sberbank Health medical company, told Izvestia that lack of physical activity is a risk factor for heart attack or stroke. At the same time, she clarified that men are more prone to cardiovascular diseases, one of the reasons for this is a lower content of estrogen, a sex hormone that protects this system. At the same time, the risks for women increase after menopause.