Heart disease: Doctor explains how to reduce risk

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Dr Carol DerSarkissian verified that “high amounts of salt, sugar, saturated fat, and refined carbohydrates raise your risk for a stroke”. “If you’re worried about your heart, you’ll want to keep these out of regular rotation,” the doctor confirmed – so what does that include? Seen as a treat by some, and a food staple by others, regularly eating bacon could be detrimental to your health.

More than half of bacon’s calories comes from saturated fat; the latter is known to raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Otherwise known as “bad” cholesterol, it can float along the bloodstream and embed along artery walls.

As such, too much LDL cholesterol can narrow the arteries, thereby restricting blood flow to organs such as the brain.

When the brain is starved of oxygenated blood, brain cells die; this is known as a stroke.

Bacon is also “full of salt” which can raise your blood pressure, which is another risk factor for a stroke.

Baked goods, such as cookies, cakes and muffins should also be enjoyed sparingly.

“They’re typically loaded with added sugar, which leads to weight gain,” Dr DerSarkissian pointed out.

“They’re also linked to higher triglyceride levels, and that can lead to heart disease.”

The main ingredient within baked goods is usually white flour, which can spike blood sugar levels.

Not only that, once you crash from the sugar high, you may find yourself craving more food.

As such, regularly eating baked goods could lead you to consume more calories overall.

If you do put on weight, the body has to work harder to keep working at an optimal level.

Obesity is also another well-known risk factor for a stroke, as confirmed by the NHS.

Another treat you might want to cut back on is flavoured yoghurts.

Full of added sugar, it could lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, inflammation, and heart disease.

Dr DerSarkissian did add that it’s “wise to focus on your overall diet”.

“You can still have these things if you mostly eat heart-healthy fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy.”

In fact, by eating more healthily, you are effectively helping to reduce your risk of a stroke.

Other measures to reduce your stroke risk include: not smoking, regular exercise, and cutting down on alcohol.

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