Four Common Everyday Habits That Could Be Damaging Your Heart

The useful part

Millions of people could be unknowingly putting extra strain on their hearts through everyday habits they rarely think twice about. Dr Francesco Lo Monaco, a cardiologist and author of Heart Saviour, has shared how certain silent risk factors can gradually weaken the heart over many years before symptoms appear. "Many people assume they would know if something was wrong with their heart, but that's often not the case," he said.

How it works

• "Initially the heart muscle adapts by becoming thicker, but over time these changes can affect how efficiently the heart works," he said.
• Here are some of the most common, yet modifiable, habits he suggested could be contributing to poor heart health – and what you can do about each.
• Poorly controlled blood pressure If your blood pressure remains high for months or even years, your heart will need to pump against greater resistance, the health expert explained.
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Details worth keeping

Everyday habits that could weaken your heart 1. GPs and some pharmacies can check blood pressure.