DeTar Shares Easy-to-Fix Heart Health Mistakes
12/15/2025
Improving your heart health includes more than your diet or going to the gym for 30 minutes at a time. You can actually provide your heart and overall health with multiple benefits by just kicking these three bad habits to the curb.
“Small, consistent lifestyle changes can have a powerful impact on heart health over time,” said Jolene Balboa, Director of Cardiovascular Services with DeTar Healthcare System. “Many people underestimate how everyday routines affect their cardiovascular system, but these are often the easiest places to start.”
- Stop Overworking
A recent study published by the World Health Organization shared that, “working 55 or more hours per week is associated with an estimated 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease, compared to working 35-40 hours a week.” The organization also shared that the number of people working long hours is increasing, and this trend will put even more people at risk of work-related disability and early death.
Heart Smart Choice: Long hours at your desk or in the office can involve excessive sitting and will decrease your overall cardiovascular fitness. Balboa recommends taking extra steps throughout the day to be more efficient at work, or that you practice saying “no” to new projects when your plate is full. A brisk walk outdoors on your lunch break is also another great way to ensure you are implementing heart-healthy fitness into your daily routine.
- It’s Time to Start Flossing
If you’re skipping your nighttime flossing routine, you could be increasing your risk of heart disease. Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health have shared that as gum health improves, progression of atherosclerosis slows to a clinically significant degree. Harvard Health also shares three theories about why these two conditions could be connected:
Gingivitis and periodontitis bacteria travel to blood vessels, causing inflammation, damage or clots. It’s not bacteria-based but caused by the body’s immune response, which then causes vascular damage. There’s no direct connection, but risk factors such as smoking cause both conditions.
Heart Smart Choice: Keeping your heart healthy and helping your smile can actually be done at the same time. It is recommended to brush teeth twice a day, floss every night, and maintain a routine checkup with your dentist.
- Get Your Beauty Sleep
Restless sleep or insufficient amounts can put you at an increased risk for conditions such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. If you currently get less than 7 hours of sleep a night, this also puts you at greater risk for obesity, insulin resistance, asthma and depression.
Heart Smart Choice: Find a nighttime routine that provides you with 7 hours of sleep or more, and stick with it. Bedrooms should be cool and dark, and consider putting away electronics 30 minutes to an hour before bed. At least 4 hours before bedtime, avoid alcohol and caffeine.
According to the American Heart Association, a new habit can take anywhere between 60 and 90 days to take hold effectively–while challenging at first, you can train your brain to create healthier routines. Breaking a bad habit and starting a new one can seem daunting, but it can be easier than you think with a bit of planning. Don’t give up.
If you need to find a primary care provider, visit mydetardoctor.com.
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