There’s no clear evidence that coffee directly causes heart disease, but some studies suggest that very high caffeine intake may increase the risk of heart problems in people with sensitive hearts or existing heart conditions.
Smoking is even worse. Nicotine tightens blood vessels, triggers sudden blood pressure spikes, and can reduce coronary blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
And remember, quitting smoking has almost immediate benefits: within 20 minutes your blood pressure and heart rate start to normalize, within three months your circulation and lung function improve, and within a year your risk of heart disease is cut in half.
2. Greasy, fried foods for breakfast
That crispy fried breakfast might taste great, but it can send your blood fat levels skyrocketing right after your meal.
Foods high in saturated or trans fats — like fried breads, fatty noodles, or sticky rice treats — raise LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and contribute to hardening of the arteries. Trans fats are particularly nasty because they also lower HDL (“good” cholesterol), making it harder for your body to stay healthy.
Breakfast foods like bacon, sausages, muffins and bagels can also be loaded with sodium.
“High sodium intake causes fluid retention, raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart failure,” says cardiologist Robert Segel, M.D.
3. Jumping into intense exercise or stress
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