10 Habits Which Can Be a Major Risk for Your Heart

Heart Disease is the number one killer of both men and women, with over 3300 deaths every year. However, among males, nearly 46% died from this preventable disease while for women, the figure was 31%. Heart disease is also one of the leading causes of disability among working-age Singaporean males and females, with over 5000 cases.

10 Habits Which Can Be a Major Risk for Your Heart:

The Heart and Stroke Foundation has identified the 10 unhealthy heart habits that people should avoid. They are: 

1) smoking.

2) failing to get enough exercise.

3) an unhealthy diet.

4) too much stress.

5) alcohol abuse.

6) sunburns or skin cancer risk.

7) failure to wear seat belts properly in cars or motorcycles.

8) drug abuse.

9) obesity.

10) not visiting your physician for regular checkups.

What leads Heart Disease to develop?

Heart attack develops when plaque builds up in the heart arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. It narrows the arteries so less blood gets through. Over time, this can make your heart work harder to pump enough blood through your body. When plaque ruptures or bursts open, it can send a clot into your bloodstream that blocks another artery. This stops oxygen-rich blood from getting to the part of your heart muscle or causing a stroke.

The risk factors suggestive for Heart Disease include:

Smoking (cigarettes) can cause Heart Disease. Heart attacks are more likely to happen in people who smoke, especially if they are young or old or have other risk factors for heart disease.

Smoking damages the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This causes the tissue of the artery walls to thicken and makes it harder for your heart muscle to get enough blood through your arteries. Heart attack is more likely when plaque breaks off an artery wall because smoking makes the plaque build-up thicker than usual. This thickened plaque can then clog up your arteries completely cutting off blood flow to part of your heart muscle. Smoking also makes the lining of your blood vessels less elastic so it's harder for them to expand and grow back after a heart attack. Heart failure is another condition that results from Heart Disease and may result in death. Heart Failure occurs when the left ventricle does not receive enough blood flow due to artery blockage. As a result of this, your body's organs and limbs will be deprived of blood flow and oxygen. Other symptoms include: - Fatigue - Excessive sweating (near the palms and soles) - Weakness or dizziness upon standing up quickly - Swollen ankles, feet, or lower legs Heart disease also increases the risk for strokes by damaging the arteries in your brain. A stroke is when part of the brain doesn't get enough blood because an artery has narrowed or burst open, causing bleeding in the brain tissue. Heart disease can also cause Heart Attacks, Heart Failure, and Heart Valve Disease.

Heart Attack occurs when the blood supply to a portion of your heart muscle is blocked or interrupted. Heart failure occurs when your heart does not pump enough blood for your body's needs. Heart valve disease causes the leaflets of a heart valve to become thickened and stiff, narrowing the valve's opening and reducing the flow of blood through them. Heart Disease has some major risk factors that include: High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Diabetes Smoking Obesity Excessive Alcohol Intake Age is 65 years old or older Lack of Exercise All these factors may be controlled through proper dieting, taking medicine regularly according to physician recommendations, maintaining proper weight, exercising every day and reducing stress levels in your life. As Heart Disease is considered to be the Heart Killer, one should take every possible measure to ensure that Heart Disease doesn't occur.