Lack of physical activity: start with 10mins of brisk walking per day and build to 30mins. Research has identified we need 150 mins of moderate exercise each week for heart health. This does not have to be at the gym. It can be rigorous work around the home.
Chronic (‘long term’) stress: ongoing stress raises blood pressure and risk of heart attack or stroke. It can disrupt your sleep and often leads to poor eating habits or drinking unhealthy amounts of alcohol.
Inadequate sleep: lack of sleep increases blood pressure. This may lead to obesity issues and harms your heart. We need about 7.5 hours of sleep to get the necessary deep REM sleep that repairs our bodies. NOTE: sleep apnea is a major factor in heart disease.
Not enough sunlight: can lead to vitamin D deficiency which is linked to inflammation and high blood pressure. Fortified milk or supplements may help.
Social isolation: loneliness and lack of a supportive social group (family or friends) can trigger stress, develop anxieties, raise your blood pressure and affect your immune system. Chronic isolation has the same impact on our health as smoking two packs of cigarettes per day (Auckland Study on Isolation)
