Heart disease doesn't come down to just diet, exercise and genes. Also at play: Loneliness, gum disease and these other things:
What Is Heart Disease?
It's a group of conditions related to your heart. Some are
problems with the muscle itself, the valves, or how it beats, including
cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. Others affect your
blood vessels, like hardened arteries and strokes. Unhealthy foods, lack of
exercise, and smoking are often what lead to heart disease. So can high blood
pressure, infections, and birth defects. But other things might surprise you.
Cars, Planes, and Trains
Starting at around 50 decibels -- between the volume of a
refrigerator humming and a friendly chat -- traffic noise can raise your blood
pressure and the likelihood of heart failure. For each 10-decibel increase,
your odds of heart disease and stroke go up even more. Scientists think it's
tied to how your body reacts to stress.
Migraine
We're not sure why, but you're more likely to have a stroke,
chest pain, and heart attacks when you get migraines, especially with auras.
And if heart disease runs in your family or you've had heart problems or a
stroke, you may not want to take medicines called triptans for your migraines
because they narrow your blood vessels. Check with your doctor about the best
way to control and treat your headaches.
Kids
Parents have a greater chance of getting heart disease, and
the odds go up slightly with each child. Because that's true for both sexes,
biology probably isn't behind it.
But women who get their first period before they're 12 or
stop having periods before they're 47 are more likely to have a stroke as well
as heart disease. A woman's risk also goes up if she's had a miscarriage or had
her ovaries or uterus removed.
Being Short
For every 2.5 inches less than average height, the chance of
heart disease goes up about 8%. Shorter people tend to have higher cholesterol
and triglyceride levels. It’s possible that the ways your body controls your
height and your "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides overlap
somehow. It's also possible that being shorter leads to less-healthy choices
and habits.
Loneliness
Having few friends or being unhappy with your relationships
raises your odds of heart disease and stroke by about as much as secondhand
smoke does. Feeling alone has been linked to high blood pressure and other
effects of stress. So join a recreational sports team or your neighborhood
walking group. You'll get both exercise and a stronger social network -- a
twofer to prevent heart disease.
ADHD Medication
Although stimulant drugs such as dextroamphetamine and
methylphenidate may help you focus, they can also raise your heart rate and
blood pressure. Over time, that could lead to heart problems. Work with your
doctor to decide if the benefits of your ADHD medicine outweigh the possible
risks to your heart.
Long Hours at Work
More people who work at least 55 hours per week have heart
disease than those who work 35-40 hours. That could be the result of a number
of things: more stress, more sitting, perhaps drinking more alcohol, for
example. You may brush off signs of trouble and put off seeing your doctor. If
you tend to stay late, it's especially important for you to take care of
yourself to avoid heart disease and stroke.
Gum Disease
Bacteria from your mouth, including periodontal disease, can
get into your blood and set off inflammation in the lining of your arteries,
which can lead to fatty buildup in them (atherosclerosis). Research shows that
treating gum disease can lower the level of an inflammation marker called
C-reactive protein in your blood. Doctors use this measurement, along with your
cholesterol levels, to predict "cardiac events" like a heart attack.
Troubled Childhood
Things like violence, bullying, and abuse when you were
younger -- including seeing harm done to others -- have been linked to high
blood pressure, obesity, and type 2 diabetes in adults. And these health
problems give you a greater chance for heart disease. The ongoing stress early
in life can change how your body works. You may also be dealing in unhealthy
ways with the effects of feeling unsafe while growing up.
You've Got the Flu
A 2018 study found that people ended up in the hospital with
a heart attack six times more often in the week after they were diagnosed with
influenza than in the year before and after. Doctors aren't sure why. It may be
that when you're fighting an infection, your blood gets more sticky and clots
more easily. It may have something to do with inflammation. (And there's
another reason to get a flu shot.)
A Short Fuse
You're almost five times more likely to have a heart attack
after you've been furious. In the 2 hours after an outburst of rage, the chance
of a stroke or racing heartbeat goes up, too. You can't always avoid or control
what sets you off, so find a way to deal with your anger in the moment and cool
that fire. If it happens often, consider an anger management class or therapy
to lower your long-term risk of heart trouble.
(Web MD)
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