10. Lifestyle Choices – When Everyday Habits Turn Foes
Last but not least, lifestyle choices play an integral role in influencing heart health. Unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of physical activity can significantly increase the risk of left-sided heart failure.
For instance, smoking damages the lining of the arteries, leading to the buildup of fatty material, which narrows the artery. This narrowing can result in angina, heart attack, or stroke.
Chronic heavy drinking weakens the heart muscle and impairs its ability to pump blood. Lack of exercise and a diet rich in unhealthy fats can lead to conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, which are known risk factors for heart disease.
The good news is, it’s never too late to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, incorporating physical activity into daily life, and opting for a heart-healthy diet can significantly lower the risk of heart disease and left-sided heart failure. (10)
