Chances are you’re already familiar with the usual heart disease prevention methods, such as maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and being mindful of blood pressure and cholesterol levels. However, you might be less aware of some unconventional yet equally important habits that can contribute to heart health, including getting quality sleep, frequently socializing, and even the simple act of smiling more often. Let’s dive deeper into how these lesser-known habits can benefit your heart health.
Is Quality Sleep a Hidden Secret to a Stronger Heart?
Quality sleep may indeed be an underappreciated secret to maintaining strong cardiovascular health. Sleep allows the body to rest and repair, including the heart and surrounding blood vessels. Lack of sleep has been linked to increased rates of hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes.
Can Smiling Boost Your Heart Health?
Smiling triggers the release of endorphins by the brain. Endorphins not only provide mood-enhancing benefits, but they also reduce the amount of stress hormones such as cortisol in the blood. This can be particularly important because chronic stress is one of the known risk factors for heart disease. Additionally, smiling has also been associated with decreased blood pressure and heart rate.
Social Connections and Heart Health: Are They Linked?
The link between social connections and heart health has been gaining a lot of attention in the scientific community lately. Being socially connected, whether it’s with family, neighbors, friends, or community based groups, provides emotional support and reduces stress, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health.
How Does Sleep Impact Heart Wellness?
The body enters a state of restoration and repair during sleep, and most of the repairs happen on a cellular level, including within the cardiovascular system. Sleep also affects processes that keep the heart and blood vessels healthy, such as the body’s glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and inflammation levels.
How Does Dental Health Play a Role in Heart Health?
Scientific evidence increasingly points to a strong connection between dental and cardiovascular health. Periodontal disease in particular has been found to play a role in an increased risk of heart disease. This is mainly due to bacteria from infected gums entering the bloodstream and triggering inflammation in other parts of the body, including the heart and blood vessels.
Is There a Nature Connection to Good Heart Health?
Spending time in nature, whether it’s walking in the park, sitting under a tree, gardening, etc., has been found to decrease stress hormones in the bloodstream, leading to improved heart health.
Can Unconventional Habits Truly Strengthen Your Heart? Find Out at South Tampa Cardiology
Contact South Tampa Cardiology today to find out more about how cultivating unconventional habits can contribute to better cardiovascular health. Dr. Albert Morales has been named a Top Doctor by Tampa Magazine in 2023 and has also made the list for the past four consecutive years. Call us at (813) 870-1747 or send us a message through our convenient online portal.