17 Surprising Things That Could Affect Your Heart Health

Shoulder Pain

Here’s an association that is still baffling scientists. People with risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure are more likely to suffer from shoulder pain or rotator cuff injuries.

While we aren’t sure why this is the case, scientists have observed that treating the risk factors have helped alleviate shoulder discomfort. Furthermore, people who suffer from Achilles tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow have an increased right of heart issues as well.

Your Level of Education

Your level of education falls under the umbrella of environmental factors. In a study conducted in 2016 in Australia, researchers found that the more years of school people completed, the less likely they were to have a heart attack.

Published in the International Journal for Equity in Health, the research showed that adults with no educational qualifications had more than double the risk of a heart attack compared to adults with a college degree.

This is because a person’s education level often dictates what typed of job they get, where they live, and how much money they make. Furthermore, their education also impacts lifestyle and food choices.

Stress

The amygdala, the area of the brain that gets triggered during stressful situations, could be behind some of the risk factors as well. According to a study published in The Lancet in December 2016, the amygdala can trigger inflammation in the arteries.

The link between stress and heart problems isn’t 100% clear yet, but researchers think that the release of adrenaline could lead to hypertension. The more adrenaline, the worse our bodies will be affected.

In addition to leading a healthy lifestyle and staying away from risky behaviors such as smoking or drinking too heavily, you should also try to avoid stress as much as possible.