Keeping Your Heart Healthy: What Risks To Avoid

When you’re young, you tend to feel invincible when it comes to heart health. But people tend to develop unhealthy habits that will affect them in their later years. It’s never too late to learn about heart risks and how you can prevent them.

Studies show that about 90% of Americans aged 18 to 24 years old believe that they’re leading a healthy lifestyle. However, data about their lifestyle habits suggest otherwise. That only means that many young people are at risk of developing heart disease or stroke but aren’t aware of it.

Here are the risk factors you should know about and how you can avoid them regardless of your age.

Eating Fast Food

You may love fast food because it’s cheap, convenient and, well, FAST. But because of the high salt and fat content of fast foods, you should limit eating them to about once a week or less. Choose healthier options like salad and try to follow and maintain a balanced diet.

Sugary Beverages

High-calorie sugary sodas or fruit drinks contribute to obesity. Regular soda has a high amount of calories with no nutritional value. Although certain sugary drinks, like chocolate milk and fruit juices, may have some nutritional value, the calories it contains can contribute to becoming overweight. Drink them only occasionally. Substitute them instead with natural fruit juices, skim milk, and water.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks can also contribute to heart problems. These drinks aren’t only loaded with sugars and calories, but they also have stimulates that can have long-term effects on the heart. Stick with water, whole fruit juices, and skim milk instead.

Alcohol Drinking

Excessive alcohol drinking is another problem among the young and adults alike. While there are many health benefits of wine-drinking, it is still wise to minimize alcohol intake to one drink or less per day. Keep in mind that binge drinking is not good for your heart.

Smoking

We all know how smoking causes cancer. But that isn’t the effect of nicotine. Smoking puts you at risk for cancer and heart problems.

Sedentary Lifestyle

The lack of fitness can put you at greater risk for heart problems. Being more active is one step closer to eliminating a cardiovascular risk. Try to have at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise a day, like walking, swimming, jogging, or other physical activities like sports.

You might think that heart disease only affects older people, but statistics says otherwise. Make your heart healthy by avoiding bad habits starting today. Doing so will not only protect your heart but your pockets as well. With the rising costs of healthcare nowadays, disease prevention is the wisest thing you can do. But when it comes to health, you can never be too sure. Anything can happen. That is why it’s best to be protected with the right kind of health insurance.

Roper Insurance Services is an independent insurance agency that is dedicated to providing a unique combination of excellent service and the lowest rates. We offer health insurance products that you can rely on in times of need. Get quoted by us for free! To know more about our offers, call us at (828) 697-6709 or visit us at our office.