3 Ways to Protect Your Heart (That You Never Thought of)

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You probably already know that you should avoid eating fatty foods and smoking to protect your heart, but did you know that there are some heart dangers lurking around your home? Here’s how to find these hidden heartbreakers and put the smackdown on them before they cause problems.

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1. Shock to the heart (And you’re to blame)

Yeah, you know electric shocks are dangerous but did you know they can cause permanent heart damage? Even a low voltage shock can cause heart arrhythmias.¹

Luckily, it’s easy to avoid electric shocks around the home:

  • Ensure that extension cables and electric cords aren’t worn or frayed. If they have nicks in the plastic coating or you see exposed wires, toss the cord and replace it with a new one.
  • Make sure your hands are dry before you plug in your hair dryer or any other appliance. Even a little wetness can cause a shocking experience.
  • Don’t keep your coffee machine (or any appliance) right next to the sink. A splash of water while you’re doing dishes can lead to a nasty shock.  Or, if you're clumsy like me, you may knock the whole appliance into the dishwater. 

Here are some more tips for preventing electrical hazards.

2. Heart of gas

Best carbon monoxide detector
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Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Gas can cause uncomfortable heartburn, but a gas outside your body can do more than just cause an achy chest.

Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colorless, and odorless gas that can cause heart and brain damage.² The gas can replace the red blood cells in your body and, after extended exposure, can kill you.

Since this gas is virtually impossible to detect, your best bet is to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. As soon as the device detects the gas, it will sound an alarm so you can get out of your house and call for help.

Learn more about carbon monoxide and find out if where you live puts you at higher risk in our report, Most (and Least) Risky States for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning.

3. Don’t go breaking your heart

Not to give you even more reason to procrastinate fixing up your house but breathing in the vapors from certain DIY products can cause heart damage.  Give your heart a break and always use cleaning products, pesticides, and paint solvents in well-ventilated areas.

Bell
Don’t mix cleaners

Never mix cleaning supplies, even for a satisfying TikTok. Some common cleaning product ingredients, bleach and ammonia, can create a deadly gas when mixed.


Sources

  1. International Journal of the Cardiovascular Academy, Mehmet ZihniBilik, “Unexpected guest: Atrial fibrillation due to electrical shock,” March 2016. Accessed February 7, 2022.
  2. The Mayo Clinic, “Carbon monoxide poisoning,” October 16, 2019. Accessed February 7, 2022.

Disclaimer

*Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Google, Google Nest Secure, [any other related Google Products] and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina Bradford
Alina is a safety and security expert that has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. Her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Her activities aren’t nearly as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing up her 100-year-old house, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family.

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