In this lifetime, you’re going to find yourself creating many different types of habits for different situations. Some people make it a habit to take off from work on their birthday. Others may make it a habit to enjoy a pint-sized carton of ice cream every Friday night as a form of self-care and reward for surviving the work week. Regardless of what your habits may be, it’s important to know if these habits are healthy habits or ones that are detrimental to your health and future. Just because you make it a routine doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Especially when this routine could be worsening your heart and any conditions it may have.
RELATED: Keep Your Heart Healthy At Any Age
What A Heart Condition May Look Like
When it comes to the heart, there are so many conditions out there that you couldn’t possibly believe exist but they do.
One condition may be because the left side of your heart doesn’t pump blood properly and another condition could be because the right side of your heart doesn’t pump blood properly.
Then there is the condition where your heart muscle is extremely thick so it is difficult to pump blood through it.
You may develop a heart condition from poor eating habits and a lack of exercise.
Another reason why you might develop a new condition is because your heart simply doesn’t work the way it needs to anymore and there’s no real reason why. The heart is extremely important and delicate and even going through a breakup can cause damage to the heart.
RELATED: 3 Easy Swaps for a Healthier Heart
3 Habits That Are Making Your Symptoms And Condition Worse
Although you may be living with a condition, it’s your lifestyle and habits that may be making your symptoms better or worse. There are even habits that you might not have thought had anything to do with your heart but they do.
One habit that may be worsening your symptoms and your condition is Not Flossing. Flossing is important and not just to make sure your teeth are healthy. When you forget to floss, you leave bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to gum disease. Bacteria associated with gum disease has the ability to cause inflammation in other parts of your body and inflammation can put you at a higher risk of developing heart disease or it worsening.
Another bad habit is Missing Your Checkup Appointments. Not making it to your appointments can set you and your condition back a lot because you may not be able to tell if your condition is worsening or getting better like a doctor can.
Not Taking Your Medication Properly is also another habit that can worsen your symptoms or cause you to develop heart problems. Medication is given to you to help the condition you are experiencing so if you’re not taking your medicine as prescribed, on time, or at all, how can your condition get better?
RELATED: 5 Of The Worst Jobs For Your Heart
Why It’s Important To Stay Ahead
It’s always important to try to stay ahead of whatever it is that you’re battling and your heart is no different. Your heart is one of the three main reasons why your body moves and functions the way it does so you have to stay on top of it.
Allowing bacteria in your mouth to get to the point where it’s disrupting other areas of your body can not only cause heart failure but other medical conditions later on down the line as well.
Not getting enough sleep, exercise, or having a poor diet contributes to an unhealthy lifestyle that can lead to many more future complications other than just heart disease (diabetes).
This is why it’s important to stay ahead so you can prevent the risk of not only worsening your heart condition if you already have it but also preventing other health concerns that may come about.
RELATED: 12 Weeks To A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle (Weekly Guide Inside!)
How To Manage Symptoms And Continue Enjoying Life
Of course, it’s easier said than done when it comes to managing symptoms, but in order to see a healthy change, it’s crucial that you do so. The hardest part is not stopping the bad habits that you may have but having the disciple to do so.
The first step is to know these habits cannot continue so limit your drinking, incorporate healthier meals into your diet and go to every single doctor's appointment that is booked.
The next step is to build the discipline to continue choosing your healthy habits over your poor ones. Take it one step at a time and know that there is always a main goal at the finish line and it looks like a healthier version of you.