Watching Too Much Television (TV) Can Lead To a Cardiac Arrest?
02-04-2018 | Posted By: Chhavi | 2380 View(s)
Have you ever wondered how come people look so hail and hearty and then die the next day due to a sudden cardiac arrest? Well, that’s how the cardiac arrest is- it happens suddenly and takes the life of a person within a few minutes. Cardiac arrest is one of the most dangerous heart conditions wherein the heart suddenly malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly, causing the person to fall unconscious and stop breathing. If not treated within a few minutes, it leads to death.
Diseases of the heart are severe and can create lifetime complications. Heart disease is the no 1 killer worldwide. If you want to have good health forever, then you must take care of your health. Plus, taking care of your heart is really easy- You just need to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and get rid of the unhealthy ones.
The problem is that most people are not even aware of the practices that can cause heart conditions in the future. For instance, watching too much TV can increase your likelihood of having a heart disease. But, did you ever think about that? Of course, you didn’t! For you, watching TV is a time pass- A way to forget all about the worries and enjoy a bit. While a little merriment is fine for health, however, an excess of anything is bad. There are many bad habits of people that can put them at risk of heart disease. Today, we are going to discuss ten habits that are worst for your heart.
Which Are The Worst Habits For Your Heart?
1.Being Stressed All The Time
Are you one of those people who get stressed even for petty things? Well, change this habit, or else it would cost you a lot of things. Feeling stressed, hostile, or depressed can take a toll on your heart.
Life challenges you all the time, however, fighting those challenges with a smile can take you a long way. Medical experts say that internalising stress is not a right thing to do. Instead, people who are facing difficulty in their lives must seek professional help and talk out their problems. It is right that there are many stigmas attached to depression especially in India. However, you must take a stand for yourself and take yourself out of stress or depression by seeking medical help. Because if not treated in time, stress can lead to other health conditions, including heart disease.
You can also try laughter therapy and breathing exercises to combat stress. Give time to your hobbies, surround yourself with supportive people, get a good night’s sleep, meditate and eat a healthy diet to beat stress.
2. Watching Too Much TV
We all want entertainment in our lives, don’t we? But should that entertainment come at the cost of your health? Of course no! Sitting for a long period of time in front of the TV can increase our risk of heart attack and stroke. Now, don’t think you are safe if you exercise regularly. Exercise helps prevent heart diseases, but it doesn’t compensate for the time you sit. And why is that? The lack of movement affects blood levels of fats and sugars. So, if you have the habit of spending a lot of time sitting, change the habit and walk around for at least three to four minutes every hour. Even if you are at work, stand up for a couple of minutes every hour to keep your heart healthy.
3. Avoiding Health Checkups
There are many conditions which do not cause symptoms for a long period. How would you know if everything is going fine inside your body or not? Well, for that you need to go for a health checkup. Many people avoid going for routine medical checkups because they think they are healthy and do not need to undergo a medical checkup. However, there are many health conditions that act as a silent killer and harm your health. Hence, it is best to go for a full body checkup every 6 months to keep health diseases at bay.
4. Taking Snoring Casually
Do you feel embarrassed when someone tells you that you snore at night? Well, you shouldn’t! No matter how common snoring is, you should never take it casually. It is not something that is minor and can be a sign of a serious medical condition- obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a condition characterised by interruptive breathing during sleep. This disorder can raise your blood pressure levels, which can, in turn, lead to heart disease. If you snore and wake up feeling tired, consult your doctor. Also, manage your weight because people who are obese or overweight are at higher risk for sleep apnea.
5. Not Taking Care Of Your Teeth
Your gums should be healthy always not just so that you can enjoy your meals and have a beautiful smile but also because healthy gums can help you prevent many diseases including heart disease. You will be seriously shocked to know that there is a strong link between heart disease and gum disease. The reason for this is unknown, but medical experts say that not flossing leads to build-up of sticky, bacteria-laden plaque which can cause gum disease. These bacteria trigger inflammation in the body and inflammation promotes all aspects of atherosclerosis.
6. Not Putting Down That Glass Of Wine
If you drink alcohol, its time for you to quit. If you can’t quit, minimise the consumption of alcohol because excess alcohol is linked to a greater risk of high levels of blood fats, high blood pressure, and heart failure. Plus, alcohol is also known to cause weight gain, which is a threat to heart health.
If you want to keep your heart healthy, then be sober. Instead, fill in your tummy with healthy drinks like lime juice, coconut water and milkshakes.
7. Eating Way Too Much
If you are one of those, who like to munch on unhealthy snacks always- BEWARE! Consuming junk foods excessively can make you overweight or obese. Being overweight/obese is a significant risk factor for heart disease. Hence, eat healthy foods and avoid oversized portions to manage your weight. Also, limit the consumption of salt because being eating too much salt can increase your blood pressure which can lead to heart conditions.
8. Smoking
So, you must have already heard this a million times before: Smoking is injurious to health; quit smoking. Smoking tends to promote blood clots, which can block blood flow to the heart, and cause plaque to build up in the arteries. Studies claim that people who smoke are at a greater risk of getting a heart disease.
9. Not Eating Fruits and Vegetables
It is important to eat loads of fruits and vegetables to stay healthy and fit. Some of the best heart-healthy foods are nuts, avocados, apples, flaxseeds, oatmeal, dark beans, tofu, oranges, carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers, spinach, dark chocolate and tomatoes. Make sure that you eat at least one fruit and five servings of veggies per day.
10. Ignoring Signs And Symptoms
Look out for the symptoms of heart disease. Some of the common symptoms of heart conditions are shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, chest discomfort, muscle pain, jaw pain, indigestion and snoring. If you experience any of these symptoms, you must consult your doctor right away.
Heart conditions can be avoided if you eat a healthy diet, stay active, manage stress and quit smoking. Also, go for a health checkup regularly to keep heart conditions at bay.
