Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally. In 2023 alone, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were responsible for 17.9 million deaths globally. Keeping the heart in good shape is crucial for overall health and wellness. Dr. Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with over a million followers on Instagram, has now outlined four things he avoids to maintain heart health. Let’s take a look. Smoking
Dr. London steers clear of smoking. He emphasizes that smoking is the single worst habit for overall health, particularly for the heart. “Destroys your lungs, causes lung cancer, high cardiovascular risks, heart attacks, and strokes,” he warns. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking contributes to about 1 in 4 deaths from heart disease. Smoking raises blood pressure, heart rate, and the likelihood of blood clots, all of which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems. Alcohol
If you want a healthy heart, stay away from alcohol. The heart surgeon avoids alcohol consumption. “Hate to break it to you. Alcohol is toxic to every cell in your body. Your body, your rules, you decide for yourself. For me personally, removing alcohol from my life has probably been one of the most transformative decisions I’ve made as an adult,” the doctor said in a video shared on Instagram. The WHO has confirmed that no level of alcohol consumption is safe. The risk starts from the first drop. It doesn’t matter how much you drink; the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage. So, quit alcohol if you want to keep your heart healthy.
Poll
Have you ever tried eliminating sugar from your diet for health reasons?
Ditch soft drinks
Well, if you thought soft drinks or sugary beverages were doing you any good, understand it’s not. Dr. London calls soft drinks ‘liquid death.’ Their high sugar content and lack of nutritional value make them dangerous. Growing studies have shown that these beverages contribute to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Regular consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular events. “Just don’t drink them, period, done,” he warns.See More: Kidney damage doesn’t always hurt—These 5 silent signs might be your clueRefined flours
Dr. London advises against consuming breads and pastas made from refined flours. “Eighty percent of weight control is diet, twenty percent is exercise,” he says. He emphasized that dietary choices outweigh physical activity in managing weight and heart health. Refined carbohydrates can spike blood sugar and contribute to obesity, a major risk factor for heart disease. Instead, he recommends eating whole and unprocessed foods to stabilize blood sugar and boost cardiovascular health.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
