Habits that increase the chances of having a heart attack

Heart attack is the leading cause of death in the world, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). Around nine million people died worldwide from this disease, which represents about 10% of deaths. But the good news is that 80% of these heart attacks are avoidable, as recognized by the American Centers for Disease Control and Detection.

How can we avoid these cardiovascular accidents? Basically the best way is to wear a healthy lifestyle, based on a proper diet and a regular exercise routine, and above all, eliminate the bad vices that we may have. It is surprising how certain habits can play a determining role. Did you know that drinking just one can of soda a day (loaded with sugar) can double your chance of having a heart attack?

A study revealed that sitting more than 10 hours a day makes it 18% more likely to have a heart attack

Other behaviors, such as leading a too sedentary life, also have a great influence on determining whether or not you will end up suffering from it in the future. For this reason, the magazine 'Best Life' has brought together some of the attitudes that you should avoid at all costs in order to minimizer the possibility of having ischemic heart disease in the next years.

Too much salt

The clearest habit of all. If you have cardiovascular problems, it will be best to reduce the amount of salt in your meals and dinners, since it is the ingredient that most favors cardiovascular diseases as well as other pathologies such as hypertension. According to the 'American Heart Association', your average salt should not exceed the 2,300 milligrams a day (about 2.3 grams). And the best thing is that you limit your intake to 1.5 grams. Although there are dishes that need salt to make them taste like something (for example, lentils), most classic recipes are better to taste a little bland than too salty.

A bad breakfast

If you love industrial pastries, it is high time that you remove it from your breakfast and opt for much healthier alternatives, such as fresh fruit. Similarly, if you turn to bread to make yourself succulent toasts, which is better wholemeal. You have to realize that you do not have to give up a good breakfast, just change some of its elements.

Drink alcohol

It is evident that drinking alcohol cannot be good for the heart under any circumstances. But not only for the cardiac organ, but also for the liver, kidneys or pancreas, stomach or esophagus. If you want to start leading a healthy life, the first thing you should do is eliminate any alcoholic beverage.

A study published in the medical journal 'Stroke' in 2015 found that people who drank more than two drinks a day had 34% higher risk of having a heart attack compared to those who only consumed one a day. In any case, the healthiest thing is to reduce it to the maximum until you get rid of this habit completely, which produces so many health problems.

Not taking enough vitamin C

A 2014 American Academy of Neurology study found that 59% of people who had a stroke had a vitamin C deficiency. Although there is still a lot of research to prove it, Stéphane Vannier, from the Pontchaillou University Hospital in Rennes, France, said this element could help regulate blood pressure. Therefore, it is necessary that you bet on including in your diet more fruits such as kiwis, oranges or nectarines.

Spending too much time sitting

According to a 2014 study by the Harvard School of Public Heatlh, which followed twelve postmenopausal women, found that those who sat for more than 10 hours a day had 18% more likely to have a heart attack than those that were only five hours or less. It is evident that sedentarism influences a lot in reducing the possibility of suffering a cardiovascular accident. Try to do regular physical exercise; your heart and veins and arteries will thank you.