6 common foods you must avoid to reduce the risk of blocked arteries and heart attack
Preventive measures are always better than a cure. A vascular surgeon explained how you can take care of your heart health by simply eliminating common foods from your diet that do more harm than good. The list included processed foods and sugary drinks.
Incorrect Eating Habits Heart attacks do not happen out of the blue. They are a result of consistently eating the wrong foods, skipping workouts, and unhealthy everyday habits. Dr Sumit Kapadia, a vascular surgeon, in a post on Instagram said, “You don’t get a heart attack overnight. It’s years of silent damage, often from the food we think is ‘normal’.” (Pics: Canva)
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Processed foods Processed foods do more damage than you can imagine. “Items like seekh kebabs, sausages, salami, and mutton curries are high in saturated fat and sodium. Over time, they cause artery stiffness and inflammation.” While they may please your senses, excess indulgence can lead to hardened arteries and increase heart attack risk. (Pics: Canva)
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Fried Street Foods Dr Kapadia confessed that everyone enjoys samosas, pakoras, bhajiyas, puris, and French fries, but the oils are reused for frying, which makes them unhealthy due to trans fats. They directly clog your arteries and do more damage by accelerating plaque buildup, which increases the risk of heart attacks. (Pics: Canva)
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Refined Carbs & Maida-based Foods Great in taste but damaging for the body, food products that contain refined carbs and maida should be avoided. These include white bread, naan, pav, biscuits, pastries, and bakery puffs. These spike your blood sugar and trigger inflammation, which is not good for your overall health. (Pics: Canva)
Sweetened Drinks & Packaged Juices Think colas, energy drinks, canned fruit juices, flavoured lassi. They give you temporary joy, but ultimately increase your triglyceride levels and strain your heart. Consuming these sugar-sweetened drinks on a daily basis is linked to a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, as they disrupt the heart rhythm and blood lipids. (Pics: Canva)
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Excess Salt in Pickles, Namkeen & Instant Foods Indian meals already contain enough salt, but more damage is done by adding pickles and papad to your meals. Hence, it’s best to avoid additional consumption in the form of instant noodles, chips, or soups, as it significantly increases sodium intake. “Salt retains water and raises blood pressure — the biggest risk for heart attacks,” Dr Kapadia warned. (Pics: Canva)
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Ultra-Processed & Packaged Foods Ultra-processed foods are loaded with hidden fats, sugar, and preservatives that harm arteries and increase heart-attack risk. Some of the items that are commonly enjoyed include instant noodles, frozen parathas, ready-to-eat curries, chips, sauces, and more. While they’re fast and easy to cook, they come at the cost of your health. Each serving of ultra-processed food increases heart attack risk by 7%. (Pics: Canva) Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
Gursimran Kaur Banga is a Delhi-based content creator, editor and storyteller.
