5 bad habits for heart health that you should avoid

2. They do not follow crash diets or exercise intensely.

Jumping into these types of life-altering routine shifts is a no-no Emily Lau, MD, MPHa cardiologist and director of the Women’s Heart Health Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. As Dr. Lau tells SELF, “Heart health is a marathon, not a sprint,” so anything you can’t sustain long-term is bound to yield little benefit.

Dr. Lau says that too many strict diets and high-level exercise plans can backfire. Excessive protein intakeFor example, it can increase the risk of plaque buildup; And restricting carbs can leave you missing out Antioxidantssends you the way towards ignition. At the same time, being brutal in the gym risks causing an injury that keeps you from working out for a while, which is what eventually happens. worst To your heart.

Choosing consistency, instead, when it comes to regular physical activity and good nutrition, is the name of the game Sergio Darabant, MDa cardiologist at the Miami Heart and Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida. Maintaining these habits over the long term is what leads to “normal blood pressure, healthy weight, and lower cholesterol, which then reduces the incidence of heart disease and stroke,” Dr. Darabant tells SELF.

3. They don’t worry about having a “perfect” exercise routine.

Dr. Tolani used to go to the gym three to four times a week, often joining an hour-long spin class. But then her career took off, she had kids, and she found herself waiting to move her body so she could make time to “ride a Peloton for 45 minutes or run five miles” — something that rarely happens. Since then, she’s embraced movement however she can do it: brisk 20-minute walks, a handful of hops, and dance parties with her kids.

Also due to time constraints, Dr. Delphine does short bursts of high-level cardio like cycling and rowing a few times a week. Dr. Srinivasan gets active every day by avoiding elevators. After all, there is a calculated heart benefit from just Unstable For long periods. Research has consistently shown that some activities are better than none. For example, you can do simple exercises for 15 minutes a day Extend your lifeAnd 15 to 20 minutes of vigorous movement weekly He can Reducing the risk of death From heart disease.