Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death globally, claiming approximately 17.9 million lives every year. Speaking to TODAY.com, board-certified cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Jeremy London says that by adopting certain unhealthy habits, “you’re putting yourself at risk that you’re going to end up on my operating room table.”

He also shared “Things I Avoid as a Heart Surgeon” on his Instagram page. Here, take a look at the six things Dr. London avoids to keep your heart healthy.

alcohol-based mouthwash

London says alcohol-based mouthwash that promises to kill almost all germs may affect blood pressure. He further explains that the good bacteria in the mouth help the body produce nitric oxide, which is involved in dilating blood vessels and keeping blood pressure under control.

However, antibacterial mouthwash not only kills the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria, hampering the process. “You can actually raise your blood pressure just by killing the bacteria in the mouth,” London says.

He added, “And if you have a tendency to have high blood pressure, it could be even worse.”

smoking and vaping

London says smoking damages the lining of blood vessels not only in the heart but also in the brain. Therefore, this increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, nicotine is a vasoconstrictor that narrows the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure levels.

London warns that smoking is “the worst thing you can do for yourself.” If you already have a history of heart disease and a tendency towards atherosclerosis, it actually speeds up that process.

Liquor

“Alcohol is toxic to every cell in your body,” London says. I think alcohol is going to be the new cigarette smoking thing.”

He adds, “Whether it’s one drink a week or one drink at night, you’re still choosing to put toxins into your body. That being said, it is a personal choice. People have to take good decisions for themselves. It’s your body, your rules.”

soft drinks

“I think soft drinks are a curse in our society, and so I was really trying to draw some attention,” he says. “Obviously, high-calorie soft drinks and consuming a lot of calories that people don’t realize they’re getting from sugar-based soft drinks is a big no-no.”

foods made from refined flour

London says she’s not against bread and pasta as long as they’re whole grain products. However, those made from refined white flour, which undergoes a process that removes dietary fiber, iron and many B vitamins, are worse.

ultra-processed food

“The longer the shelf life, the shorter your lifespan,” says London. Limit those things as much as possible.” London recommends focusing on “God-made, not man-made” foods, especially one-ingredient, nutrient-dense whole foods like Fruits and vegetables, lean meats and eggs.

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