such as drug abuse, that can threaten your heart’s health.You probably know what the classic risk factors for cardiovascular disease are. These are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking. They still play an important role in the development of heart disease, so you shouldn’t discount them. But the risk picture is taking on new dimensions with the emergence of influences that can harm your heart health.
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New Threats To Heart
In recent years, research has linked many other health and lifestyle problems with an increased risk of heart disease:
- Sleep problems
- Alcohol Abuse
- Complications of pregnancy
- Emotional problems
- Gum disease
- Chronic inflammatory conditions
“Most people are unaware of these emerging risk factors — they are surprised when I ask questions about these issues,” says Nieca Goldberg, MD, cardiologist. In addition to being important in their own right, these new risk factors may have an additional negative impact on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in combination with each other or with traditional problems. Here’s what you should know about these influences.
1. Poor Sleep Quality Can Raise Blood Pressure And Harden Arteries
Sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing constantly pauses during sleep (and a person often wakes up gasping for breath), may lead to high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias. “If you treat sleep apnea, your blood pressure will improve,” says Dr. Goldberg.
And according to new research, poor sleep quality over a three-year period in people with classic cardiovascular risk factors is associated with increased arterial stiffness, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Besides, sleeping less than seven hours a night can raise blood pressure and abdominal fat, as well as higher levels of stress hormones in the body, Goldberg says. Lack of sleep can also disrupt your metabolism, resulting in higher cholesterol levels, complicating things for diabetes and high blood pressure patients.
2. Drug Abuse Increases Heart Rate And Weaken Heart Muscles
Drug or substance is quite common in the US, so are the increased health diseases. Not many people know, but substance abuse increases the heart rate and may also lead to chronic high blood pressure. Besides, it weakens heart muscles, which impacts its ability to pump blood. Due to all these factors, the chances of heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure get elevated.
According to Americas Health Rankings, almost 93,000 people die each year in the US from drug-attributable causes, and it is of the leading causes of death in Connecticut too. Thus, it is important now more than ever to eradicate the problem of addiction for a better life.
The best solution to eliminate addiction is by getting admitted to inpatient drug rehab CT (Connecticut) to restore your well-being. Experts believe that once a person gets rid of substance abuse, the quality of life also improves. So enjoy better life after recovery!
3. Complications Of Pregnancy Can Increase The Risk Of Hypertension
According to a study, women with a history of gestational diabetes are almost three times more likely to develop coronary artery disease and have an increased risk of developing hypertension or type 2 diabetes.
In contrast, women with preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure and twice the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by midlife, Goldberg notes.
This is why “women need to monitor their blood pressure and blood sugar levels by making regular visits to primary care physicians throughout their life cycle,” she says. In addition, if you’ve had gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, restricting simple carbohydrates, cutting back on sugar, and exercising regularly can help reduce those risks, Goldberg said.
4. Mental Health Problems Can Lead To Heart Problems
Chronically negative mental states – including depression, anxiety, anger, loneliness, or ongoing stress – can increase your risk of heart disease over time. For example, the research found that people who suffer from depression and have low social support have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease over 13 years.
If you have a lousy state of mind, you may be less likely to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, take medications as directed, or take care of yourself in other ways, says Dr. Fishman. But part of the link between negative emotions and an increased risk of heart disease is also due to increased stress hormones, which reduce flexibility in blood vessels, Goldberg explains.
So if you feel like you’re struggling with a bad mood, seek professional advice, practice stress management (like meditation) and exercise regularly.
5. Gum Disease Can Lead To Cardiovascular Disease
Believe it or not, moderate to severe periodontal disease (gum disease) is associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Likewise, a study found that having multiple deep pockets in the gums (a sign of periodontal disease) is associated with an increased risk of future cardiovascular disease.
This suggests that taking care of your oral health (thorough brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist) can also help protect your heart. If you have gum disease, be sure to treat it. Research presented by the American Heart Association shows that treating gum disease can help lower blood pressure, which in turn can reduce the risk of heart disease.
6. Inflammatory Diseases Can Also Affect The Heart
Likewise, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus include systemic inflammation, “which increases cholesterol build-up in the arteries,” Goldberg says. “In people with autoimmune diseases, we see a higher incidence of high blood pressure and a higher incidence of heart failure, which may be related to untreated hypertension.”
This is why people with autoimmune diseases need to have a heart test. In addition, the doctor must check your blood pressure at every visit to monitor if it is high or low.
Take Away
We all know that obesity and high blood pressure can lead to heart problems; however, there are some new risk factors that cause heart failure too. We mentioned some of them in this article. So it will help you eliminate the problem before it threatens your heart.