10 sneaky causes of heart disease [infographic]

Lifestyle is the leading cause of heart disease. We consume excessive amounts of sugars, salt and hydrogenated fats; neglect exercise; and skimp on sleep. Many of us smoke and drink too much alcohol.

On top of that, our frenetic schedules compound the problem. Stress generates inflammatory hormones, leading to scarring and hardened arteries. Busy schedules make it difficult to prepare healthy meals, leading to an overreliance on caffeine and processed foods high in hydrogenated fat, sugars and salt.

Stress, inactivity and poor food choices are the real top killers of today. They raise levels of inflammatory compounds that can turn normal cholesterol into dangerous oxidized cholesterol, a key factor in the formation of arterial plaque. Chronic inflammation also leads to fibrosis: uncontrolled scar-tissue buildup that hardens arteries and permanently damages tissues and organs — especially the heart.

These risk factors are also a recipe for high blood pressure, or hypertension. Increased blood pressure spikes the chances of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and other problems. Controlling hypertension, preferably without medication, should be a top priority for protecting long-term heart health.

Of all the risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure may be the trickiest to control. While dietary changes can have a significant and lasting effect on inflammation, circulation and cholesterol, reducing blood pressure often requires a more holistic effort. That’s because hypertension has a variety of origins: family history, weight, inactivity, smoking, salt, alcohol and caffeine consumption, stress, and emotional health. In other words, to bring blood pressure down, we have to make a number of changes.

The articles below offer some valuable information to begin making the lifestyle changes needed to protect you from the risks of heart disease.

A cup a day can send high blood pressure away

Diabetes and heart disease create a deadly combination that runs rampant in the U.S. To lower your risk, a mere cup a day of one type of food may protect your arteries from the vicissitudes of high blood pressure.

Heart health and blood pressure: What really works

What causes high blood pressure? Unfortunately, it’s complicated, and there isn’t just one smoking gun. High blood pressure, aka hypertension, can be caused by age, weight, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, smoking or other issues. Usually though, hypertension is caused by…

10+ signs you have this stroke syndrome

Until the symptoms show up you don’t know you are developing this potentially deadly syndrome. But based on the current research, it can be reversed. However, if left unresolved…

Defeat stroke and heart disease 10 minutes at a time

The smart folks at Oxford University have found that women of every age can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke immediately and significantly by doing one simple thing.

These supplements fight heart disease BETTER than statin drugs

Even though conventional doctors seem to think that drugs are the best way to protect heart health, a growing body of research demonstrates that supplements can be hugely helpful. If you’re ready to find a natural way to better heart health, here’s a guide to what you need to be taking.

13 sneaky things hurting your heart

I believe 90 percent of heart attacks may be avoidable especially if you recognize these 13 sneaky factors that could be setting you up for heart disease without a single clue…

Why YOU could have a heart attack

Medical professionals and scientists know what causes cardiovascular disease to develop. The bigger questions are these… why would you have a heart attack? And what do you need to know and do to prevent one?

Editor’s note: Your doctors have warned you about everything else… trans fats… red meat… not enough exercise. But unless you have blood sugar problems, they’re tight-lipped about how sugar turns on your “disease switch” leading to heart disease, even cancer. If you want to know the truth about stopping strokes and heart attacks… and drop your risk of heart disease by 400 percent, click here.