Do you truly believe that your heart is healthy? Last year’s physical might’ve revealed that nothing was wrong, but bad habits can take their toll on the health of your heart. If you’re looking to avoid heart disease or high blood pressure, drop these 5 bad habits now!

• Refusing to Floss – What does your mouth have to do with your heart? When a person doesn’t floss, plaque will build up between teeth near the gum line. All of this bacteria will cause inflammation in the gums, leading to increased risk for atherosclerosis. Ignoring gum disease essentially means you’re ignoring heart disease.
• Too Much to Drink – There are studies that show moderate alcohol consumption as a health booster. However, your definition of moderate might not be the actual definition. A single serving size or two per day of your favorite drink is fine, but any more than that can lead to increased risk of high blood pressure and weight gain.
• Assuming You’re Healthy – Being the type of person who was healthy in their 20s, 30s, and 40s doesn’t mean you won’t develop a disease in your senior years. With age, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are extremely easy to develop if you’re not careful. Go to the doctor one to two times per year (depending on your age) for regular check-ups.
• Quit Being So Salty – Salty snacks are so darn good, but boy are they bad for you! In America, 33 percent of adults has some form of high blood pressure which can lead to stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. Be more conscious of what you eat by reading nutrition labels and knowing how much sodium you are consuming in any given day.
• Ignoring the Obvious – As people age, they can’t always do the things they used to do when they were young. However, if you can’t manage to walk up a flight of stairs or make your bed without becoming out of breath, something is wrong. Head to the doctor to get checked out to make sure there is no underlying problem, other than being out of shape.

Winners never quit, but sometimes you need to quit your bad habits in order to win! For other useful tips and information, visit our blog! If you’re interested in learning more, or visiting The Arbors Assisted Living community, schedule a tour by contacting one of our five convenient locations:

Bohemia
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