The Importance of a Healthy Heart for a Long Life
Alcohol and drugs can directly affect the health of your heart. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
Research shows that one person dies every 36 seconds from heart disease. Approximately, 695,000 people die from the disease each year, accounting for 1 in 4 deaths in the United States.Many deaths related to heart disease are preventable.
Improving Heart Health
People hoping to improve their heart health should maintain a healthy weight, eat whole foods, and engage in regular exercise.
Other ways to improve your heart health include:
- Stop smoking
- Alleviate stress
- Keep blood pressure under control
- Watch the amount of fat in your diet
- Lower your cholesterol
How Alcohol Affects Heart Health
The heart can also be affected by things like drugs and alcohol. Too much alcohol can directly impact the health of your heart and lead to heart disease. Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to serious heart conditions including stroke and heart failure.
How Drugs Affect Heart Health
Drugs may also impact your heart health. Most illicit drugs have an adverse effect on your heart. Some drugs increase a person’s blood pressure to a dangerous level, others can cause collapsed veins. Drugs like cocaine are considered the “perfect heart-attack drug” since it can cause arteries to stiffen and an increase in the thickness of the heart wall.
Getting the Help You Need
If you do have heart health concerns, but are unable to stop drinking or doing drugs you need to consider treatment. There are many treatment options for individuals struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.