Habits that are Harmful to Your Arteries

As you age, your arteries become stiffer and stiffer, which a progressive problem that doctors refer to as arteriosclerosis. You don’t want it to strike because it paves the way for high blood pressure (hypertension) and the collection of fatty material called plaque (atherosclerosis).

Even though nobody is impervious to aging, many believe that arteriosclerosis can be delayed and even reversed. It is a wonderful idea to have the suppleness of your arteries maintained as it can help in considerably reducing your risk of heart attacks and strokes, both of which can be very serious and can cost you your life.

Certain habits that you may be guilty of doing can actually be bad for your arteries, causing their hardening and thickening to accelerate. Continue reading if you want to keep your arteries in a superb shape. Below are some artery-harming things that you should start avoiding at all costs:

Smoking Cigarettes

There are many ways that cigarette smoking can considerably shorten your lifespan, and one of them is by causing your arteries to become stiff. Once they lose their suppleness, your risk of having all sorts of problems concerning the cardiovascular system is increased. If you want to have a long and healthy life, then ditch smoking.

Drinking Lots of Alcohol

Experts say that moderate consumption of alcohol is actually good for the heart. However, too much of it can undoubtedly ruin your ticker. One of the bad effects of excessive alcohol intake to the body is the stiffening and thickening of the arteries. Drink alcohol in moderation if you want to ward off high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Having a Sedentary Life

Nitric oxide is a gas that causes the walls of the arteries to relax. Such causes the blood pressure to stay within the normal range, thus keeping your arteries safe from harm. Exercising helps your body to produce more nitric oxide. In other words, exercising on a regular basis not only keeps your figure flattering, but also maintains healthy arteries.

Not Eating Potassium-Containing Foods

Bananas, oranges, peaches, papaya, mangoes — all of these are rich in potassium, a nutrient that helps in widening the arteries just like nitric oxide. If you refrain to include them in your diet on a regular basis, your arteries stay narrow, which is not a good thing because it can increase your blood pressure which is bad for your arteries and heart.

Avoiding Foods Rich in Fiber

Fiber not only helps prevent constipation, but also clogged arteries as they help in keeping bad cholesterol out of your bloodstream as well as flushing out those that are already in it. You can obtain lots of fiber from fruits and vegetables, which means that you should try to add plenty of them in your diet every single day.

Consuming Salty Foods

Another thing that can cause your blood pressure to reach sky-high is the intake of foods that contain lots of sodium. That’s because too much sodium causes the volume of your blood to considerably increase, thus resulting in high blood pressure. Stay away from processed and fast foods if you want to shield your arteries from damage.

Loving Sugary Treats

It’s not just salty foods that you have to cut back on, but also those that contain lots of sugar. Experts say that sugar is something that can cause inflammation, which can then cause the arteries to become thick and stiff. Learn to extinguish your cravings for sweets to ward off arteriosclerosis and all the dangers that it comes with.

Having Lots of Fatty and Greasy Goods

Lots of bad cholesterol can be found in fatty foods, so make sure that you opt for lean meat cuts and steer clear of greasy items served at fast food joints. As you do so, try to incorporate more healthy fats in your diet as they help raise the levels of good cholesterol in your body, resulting in the reduction of bad cholesterol.

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