These 3 habits may give you a heart attack

While most people know that smoking, eating junk food, and being inactive harm heart health, there are some additional habits that can boost your heart attack risk.

Vaping

When you think of vaping’s impact on your health, you may fixate on the dangerous implications it has on your lungs. But an American College of Cardiology study found that it also increases your risk of heart failure by 19%.

“Studies have shown that vaping elevates your blood pressure, increases your heart rate and can impact the functionality of your blood vessels,” says Dr. Robert Johnson, a cardiologist at Advocate Health Care.

Anger

If you feel metaphorical steam coming out of your ears, your blood pressure likely is being impacted. A new American Heart Association study found that anger can damage your blood vessels, increasing your risk for a heart attack. Researchers found that blood vessels were impaired for up to 40 minutes after the initial burst of anger.

“Your heart and brain significantly impact each other,” explains Dr. Johnson. “When you’re stressed, your body releases fight-or-flight stress hormones, making your heartbeat faster and causing your blood pressure to rise. Without proper stress management, chronic stress can increase your risk for heart disease.”

Taking the elevator

After a long day, taking the stairs do not always sound appealing. However, routinely choosing to take the stairs over an elevator or escalator can decrease your risk for heart disease by 39%, according to a new European Society of Cardiology study. This includes reducing your risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

“Physical activity helps lower your blood pressure and can help reduce stress, both of which promote heart health,” says Dr. Johnson.

Do you want to learn your risk for heart disease? Take a free online quiz.