• Careers
  • Education
  • Research
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
619050692 Heart Hurting

6 Everyday Things That Hurt Your Heart

Feb 15, 2017 |
By George F. Isa, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

You go for weekend walks, you don’t smoke, you observe “Meatless Monday.” When it comes to protecting your heart, you’re a pro — right? The biggest threats to a healthy heart could actually be hiding in plain sight. These six seemingly innocent acts are big no-nos.

1. You sit all day

That new ergonomic desk chair may be great for your back, but it sure isn’t doing your heart any favors. Sitting for more than five hours each day may double your risk for heart disease, according to a 2014 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Break up your day with short bursts of movement every hour or ask your employer to invest in standing desks.

2. You don’t floss

Forgoing flossing on a regular basis can do more than damage your gums. The bacteria associated with gum disease are thought to cause inflammation, which may up your chances for heart disease. Make it a priority to floss at least once a day.

3. You overindulge

Drinking excessively can lead to high blood pressure and obesity — two big risk factors for heart disease. While the occasional cocktail or glass of wine is perfectly fine, anything more can be harmful to your heart health.

4. You burn the candle at both ends

If your days start early and end late, you may not be getting the sleep you and your heart need. Just like you, your ticker works hard all day and requires rest to recuperate. Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

5. You’re a worrywart

Over time, too much stress can damage blood vessels in the heart and increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Minimize the harmful effects of stress by learning how to effectively manage it, whether that means opening up to a loved one, taking up yoga or simply making a to-do list.

6. Your three favorite words are “pass the salt”

Excessive sodium can lead to high blood pressure — a leading cause of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends that most people consume less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, so be sure to keep an eye on nutrition labels.

What risky behaviors are putting your heart in danger? Schedule an appointment with an Ochsner cardiologist online to find out how healthy your heart is.

Tags
cardiology

You may also be interested in:

Thinkstockphotos 88063968 Racecar Driver
Prevention & Wellness
Apr 7, 2015

Hearing Protection Tips

Don't forget to protect your ears! Learn how you can safely prepare beforehand.
Young woman exercising
Mental Health
Sep 4, 2020

8 Inexpensive Ways to Reduce Stress

Stress is an expected part of daily life, so it’s important to learn healthy ways to manage it. Eight free (or very inexpensive!) ways to cut stress in your life.

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Pinterest

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Hello Health Seminars
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Healthy Living Tips, Delivered Right To Your Inbox

* indicates required


Must Reads
Food and Fitness
Men’s Health
Parenting
Women’s Health

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:


Get Weekly Health Tips

Select the weekly newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your weekly newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox every week.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide