4. You sit all day.
As you’ve probably heard, sitting is the new smoking. “Being sedentary for extended amounts of time increases one’s risk of suffering from a heart attack,” says Stephanie Filbey, an exercise physiologist, personal trainer, and owner of Summit Wellness, LLC in New Jersey. “That morning workout is great, but it’s not enough. We need to make it a point to move around throughout the day as well.”
5. You spend too much time indoors.
If you avoid getting out in nature, you’re doing your heart a disservice. According to a 2015 review of research published in Current Epidemiology Reports, people who were exposed to higher levels of “greenness” had a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s just another reason to take a stroll through the park at lunch or add a weekend hike to your regular routine.
6. You eat fried food.
You already know that fried food isn’t exactly good for you—but it turns out even a tiny amount could have a lasting effect on your health. According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, women who ate just one serving of fried chicken a week had an 11 percent increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (the study didn’t include men).
7. You let your anger consume you.
While it’s completely normal to get angry every once in a while, letting your anger boil over on a regular basis can do some serious damage to your heart. In fact, according to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure, constant episodes of intense anger can exponentially increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular events, especially in men.
8. You drink diet soda.
While it might seem healthier than drinks with real sugar, diet soda still puts you at risk for heart disease. According to one 10-year study published in 2012 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, people who drank diet soda on a daily basis were more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people who stayed away from it entirely.