6 Unorthodox Heart Attack Triggers To Watch Out For

As a health-conscious individual, you are aware that your age, genes, and work-related stress can also increase the risk of having a heart attack. So you probably keep a strict tab on your diet to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, which is a major cause of heart attacks. But the truth is, this is not enough. There are a whole host of other weird heart attack triggers you may be unknowingly exposing yourself.

1. Non-Stick Chemicals In Cookware

Non-stick and stain-repelling chemicals in your cookware can be great for healthy eating habits. However, the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) chemicals present in such non-stick cookware can cause heart disease. Discounting your age, body mass, or other existing health conditions, high levels of PFOA in your blood can mean you’re that much more likely to have a cardiovascular disease.

Solution

If your cookware collection includes any non-stick pots, pans, or other items, replace them promptly with stainless steel, cast iron, or glass ware as soon as you see the finish wearing off. You’d also do well to stay away from stain-repellent fabrics, furniture, and carpeting.

2. BPA In Canned Food

You couldn’t be more wrong if you thought sodium is the only setback related to canned food. Bisphenol A or BPA is a toxic canned food chemical that works as a potent hormone disruptor. Even small doses of BPA could lead to heart arrhythmia or irregular heart rate that can eventually lead to a sudden cardiac arrest. Even healthy people with significant BPA levels are likely to develop heart disease at some point down the line.

Solution

Limit your intake of canned food as much as possible and replace it with fresh or frozen foods. Even popular cash receipts or thermal receipts are coated in BPA that can get readily absorbed into your skin. Remember to always store food or drinks in glass or stainless steel containers. Additionally, don’t heat plastic items in a microwave as the intense heat can accelerate the leaching process.¹

3. Triclosan In Antibacterial Products

Triclosan is an infamous chemical ingredient in antibacterial soaps and toothpaste. Besides causing thyroid disease and creating hard-to-kill antibiotic-resistant germs, triclosan has the potential to significantly damage your heart and muscle tissue too.

Solution

There is absolutely no benefit in using antibacterial products as regular soap and water can do an equally good job. You’d do yourself a world of good by steering clear of triclosan and declining anything that’s antibacterial, antimicrobial, germ-killing, odor-free, or odor-killing by nature. Even personal care products that contain triclosan are a strict no-no!

4. Increased Air Pollution Due To Climate Change

Global warming isn’t just affecting our planet, it can quite possibly trigger your heart attack too. When there’s an excessive amount of heat in the air, it leads to the formation of tiny polluted air particulates that can get lodged in your lungs. These tiny particulates can evade your body’s natural defense and move into your bloodstream, thereby causing plaque formation that can block your coronary artery and eventually lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

Solution

The best route to counter climate change is for you to take a lot of fish oil supplements. Omega-3 fish oil supplements are powerful enough to lower your susceptibility to the ill effects of air pollution.

5. Sleeping Less Than 6 Hours

If you’re unable to sleep enough on a daily basis, you can feel tired and miserable and even increase your risk of having a heart attack. Anything less than 6 hours of sleep in a night can double your risk of heart attack when compared to an 8-hour sleeping pattern.

Solution

As you follow a different schedule when compared to others, it can be difficult to find a sleeping habit that works for you. The best way to go about getting enough sleep is for you to find some activity like yoga to help you sleep well. Also eat foods that have tryptophan and melatonin, such as cottage cheese and cherries, respectively. Melatonin is the sleep hormone, while tryptophan is the building block for the neurotransmitter serotonin, which improves sleep quality.

6. Drinking Too Much Alcohol

You must’ve heard that a glass of good red wine can provide you with some amazing heart and overall health benefits. However, too much drinking is definitely detrimental to your overall health. Besides damaging your heart, heavy drinking can raise your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight over time. Ignoring these 3 factors can only increase your risk of heart attack.²

Solution

The most simple and direct answer to this problem is for you to drink less alcohol, no matter what the occasion is. The standard quota for daily alcohol consumption is 2 units of alcohol for men and 1 for women.

Symptoms And Causes Of A Heart Attack

When you have a heart attack, any kind of delay in treatment can turn out to be deadly. For this reason, it is highly important that you’re fully aware of the causes and warning signs of having a heart attack. Your knowledge of taking appropriate action in such a situation can make all the difference when it comes to saving your own life or someone else’s.³⁴ Here are the common causes of a heart attack.

• Age
• Angina
• Diet
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Hypertension
• Genetics
• Work stress
• Previous heart attack history

Warning signs that you need to watch out for before a heart attack

• Coughing
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Upper body discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Feeling very tired for no reason
• Nausea and vomiting
• Light-headedness or sudden dizziness