Cardiovascular surgeon shares 4 things he absolutely avoids; here’s why

Heart attack is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It happens when the blood flow to the heart is blocked or significantly reduced due to an “excessive buildup of fats and cholesterol in the arteries”. As such, cardiologists suggest avoiding certain habits and foods that can make matters worse. Heart surgeon Dr Jeremy London listed the following indulgences that can wreak havoc on your heart.

Avoid smoking cigarettes.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol is toxic to every cell in your body.
Avoid soft drinks.
Avoid eating food products made with refined flour.

“Eighty per cent of weight control is diet. Only 20 per cent is exercise,” said Dr London, suggesting one to be conscious of what one is putting in their mouth.

As such, let’s understand how these habits contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk

Drinking excessive alcohol or smoking can result in high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, said Dr Bipeenchandra Bhamre, consultant cardiac surgeon, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai. “High blood pressure can put pressure on an individual’s heart muscle resulting in a heart attack,” said Dr Bhamre.

Here’s why you need to avoid refined flour (Source: Unsplash)

Soft drinks are also known as ‘liquid death’ as they contain a high quantity of added sugar that can harm your heart health. “Food products made with refined flour like pasta, breads, snacks, and cupcakes, can contribute to heart attacks. Your body converts these refined grains into sugar and stores them in the form of fat. This can lead to the accumulation of fat around the belly, which is often linked with poor heart health resulting in heart attack,” said Dr Bhamre.

Consult a doctor to discuss your concerns related to heart health and how to reduce your risk of heart attack. They might suggest a tailored diet plan to improve your heart and overall well-being.

 

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“Do not ignore symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, lightheadedness, cold sweat, nausea, and difficulty breathing. One should regularly exercise — walk for 40 minutes, or cycle, or swim,” said Dr Bhamre.

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