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Habits That Are Bad for Your Heart.

​1. You Bank on Your Workouts.

Do you exercise? That's great! But if you sit down for most of the rest of your day, that's a problem. You need to be active all day long. Little bursts count. If you have a desk job, take a short walk every hour to boost your circulation, even if it's just to the break room. Binge -watching your favorite show? Get up and dance or do push-ups during the commercials.

2. You Say "I'm Too Young"
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Don't wait to work on keeping your heart healthy. Exercise, eat a healthy diet and know your numbers - blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. The ideal time to do your heart a favor is now.

​3. One Drink Too Many

For most people, moderate drinking (one a day for women, up to two daily for men) is OK , A daily drink may even have some benefits for some people. But more than that can raise certain levels of fats in the blood and raise blood pressure, too. That's especially true if you have several drinks at a time. So stick to your daily limit.

4. You Dis A Good- For -Your Diet
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You may think it's going to be all out oat bran, all the time. Surprise! There's no reason for your food to be bland and boring. A Mediterranean- style diet has delicious foods like, olive oil, nuts, fruits, whole grains, fish, lean protein and red wine. It helps keep your heart healthy, thanks to the "good" fats, fiber and nutrients. Plus you'll actually want to stick to this diet because it tastes so good.

​5. You Don't Know Your Numbers.

Pop quiz: What's your cholesterol level? How about your blood pressure? No Clue? That's risky. They could be too high without you knowing. (You could feel just fine and have high cholesterol or high blood pressure), So protect yourself. Starting at age 20 make sure you see your doctor regularly and create a plan to check and track your numbers.

​6. Waist Not

Belly fat is particularly bad for your heart. So get your tape measure and size up the inches around your waist. It's a red flag if it's more than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men. Need to slim down? Take it step by step. Even losing a small amount of weight is good for your heart.

7. You Ignore Your Blues.

When you're feeling low, it's hard to do things that are good for your health, like exercise. If you've felt down for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Talk therapy, exercise and medication (if needed) can improve your mood so you can have more time to take care of yourself.

​8. You Blow Off Secondhand Smoke

Someone else's smoke could hurt your heart and blood vessels. You need to avoid it. If you spend a lot of time with someone who isn't ready to quit smoking, insist they at least not smoke around you, whether it's home, work , or in the car. Your tough love may be the nudge they need to kick the habit, which will be good for both of you.

​Credit:WebMD