There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to your health. If you think of your body as a machine, there are major components that require care and even possibly routine maintenance. The heart is one of those organs.
Take it to heart
Your heart health is no joke. Heart disease has become a major epidemic worldwide. It kills a whopping 610,000 Americans every single year, according to the CDC.
A heart-healthy diet, exercise, and proper stress management are all excellent techniques to combat heart problems. But there is one major element to your day that can be sabotaging your cardiovascular strength.
One specific meal may be crucial
Breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day— and this could be for good reason. Running out the door on an empty stomach can lead to health problems down the road. Skipping that early-morning meal is linked to "a significantly increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease, " according to a study in the
Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
The study followed the eating habits of 6,550 Americans between the ages of 40 and 75 from 1988 to 1994. When revisiting these subjects in 2011, it was found that 619 had died due to heart disease. The correlation? The majority of these participants didn't partake in a morning meal.
Researchers concluded that those who skip breakfast have an 87% greater likelihood of facing death due to cardiovascular issues. Letting your stomach growl until lunchtime has also been tied to obesity, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes. Now that's a mouthful. "Our study supports the benefits of eating breakfast in promoting cardiovascular health, " researchers concluded.
Your parents may have had some science to their morning nagging. Wake up to a balanced meal. Your heart may depend on it.
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