Your arteries are blood vessels that transport oxygenated blood from the heart to the various parts of your body — the muscles of the heart itself included. As you can see, it’s important to keep the arteries in tip-top shape. Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of doing certain habits that can harm the arteries!
One of the terrible things that could happen to your arteries if you do not take good care of them is their narrowing due to the buildup of plaque — made up of cholesterol, fat molecules, calcium and a few other substances found in the bloodstream — on their inner walls. This is what doctor’s refer to as atherosclerosis.
Certainly, you wouldn’t want to have atherosclerosis because it’s something that can impede the proper flow of oxygen-containing blood to your cells and tissues. One of the most dangerous things that could strike because of atherosclerosis is coronary heart disease in which the heart muscles fail to get enough oxygen.
Due to the role that the arteries play as a part of your circulatory system, it’s quite clear that you should take really good care of them in order to keep them from becoming clogged up. See which of the following artery-wrecking habits you are guilty of and promise yourself to turn your back on them ASAP:
Cigarette Smoking
Everyone knows that cigarette smoking is something that is very bad for the lungs. However, not too many people are aware that it can also wreak havoc to your heart by damaging the blood vessels — including your arteries. Cigarette smoking is also linked to having increased cholesterol and elevated blood pressure, both of which are bad for the arteries. So if you want your arteries to stay in a phenomenal shape, ditch cigarette smoking.
Intake of Sugary Stuff
We are all aware that the consumption of anything that contains loads of sugar can damage the figure. Did you know that it can also leave your arteries clogged up? The intake of lots of sweets can definitely increase the levels of sugar in the bloodstream, and it is something that can contribute to the deposition of plaque on the inner walls of the arteries. If you already have high blood sugar levels, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about its management.
Drinking Lots of Alcohol
According to medical experts, moderate amounts of alcohol — a drink a day for females and up to two drinks a day for males — come with health benefits. Too much of it, however, can be terrible for the health. One of the problems that excessive alcohol intake can bring is atherosclerosis. It’s for the fact that alcohol, in excessive amounts, can increase fat levels in the blood, which is something that can lead to high blood pressure and plaque buildup.
Being Sedentary
There are so many unfortunate things that could happen to your health if you are leading a sedentary lifestyle. If you are not a physically active individual, then you may be at risk of atherosclerosis because being sedentary can contribute to factors that can cause the said problem, such as increased cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes. Lack of exercise can also lead to another thing that can harm the arteries, and it’s discussed next.
Having Excess Pounds
According to medical professionals, there are all sorts of health nightmares that can stem from being overweight or obese, and ending up with clogged arteries is just one of those. Actually, having excess fat in the body is known to be a contributor to atherosclerosis. So if you want to keep plaque from accumulating in the inner walls of your arteries, it’s a good idea for you to start eliminating those unwanted pounds or keep them from creeping in.
Poor Eating Habits
Last but not least, your arteries are placed in grave danger if you have poor eating habits. If you regularly consume foods that are loaded with saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, it’s not unlikely for your arteries to end up clogged. The next time you are grocery shopping or ordering at your favorite restaurant, steer clear of fatty and cholesterol-laden foods. Add plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet in order to keep your arteries out of harm’s way.
