The body doesn’t suddenly “go on strike” before chest pain occurs. Many people don’t realize that some seemingly harmless daily habits are quietly damaging the heart and accelerating the onset of angina.

Angina Pectoris, or chest pain, is a common symptom of coronary artery disease. These episodes of chest tightness and shortness of breath can signal serious risks. To prevent them, you need to identify the “invisible killers” in daily life, recognize your body’s distress signals, and take scientific measures to protect your heart health.

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3 Daily “Heart-Harming” Habits That Can Trigger Angina

Many people are unaware that their daily routines could be silently injuring the heart and hastening heart-related complications.

⚠️ Dietary “Red Flags”

A diet high in salt and fat is a danger zone. Consuming too much salted meat, pickles, fried food, or animal fat thickens the blood and narrows blood vessels, reducing oxygen supply to the heart and increasing the risk of angina.

Excessive alcohol intake — especially more than 25 grams of alcohol per day for men — can cause blood vessels to constrict, acting as a “trigger” for chest pain.

⚠️ Behavioral “Traps”

Sitting for long periods and lack of physical activity slow blood circulation and weaken heart function. Chronic late nights disrupt the body’s internal clock, forcing the heart to overwork. Emotional stress or frequent anger can suddenly raise blood pressure and constrict blood vessels — a dangerous setup for angina.

⚠️ Environmental Factors

Long-term exposure to polluted air (especially high PM2.5 levels) or secondhand smoke can damage the inner walls of blood vessels, making them brittle and prone to blockage — a key factor in heart attacks and angina.

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🚨 “Help Signals” From the Heart You Shouldn’t Ignore

Before an angina attack, the body often sends warning signs — you just need to recognize them.

Typical Symptoms: Chest Pain + Radiating Discomfort

A feeling of tightness or burning in the chest during activity, like a heavy stone pressing on your chest, which eases after a few minutes of rest — this is the most common sign.

Sometimes, the pain radiates to the left shoulder, jaw, or back, making it difficult to sit still or find comfort.

Hidden Signs: Don’t Mistake Them for Minor Issues

Persistent fatigue, dizziness even without exertion, or unexplained stomach or tooth pain could actually be heart-related. If dental and gastrointestinal exams show nothing abnormal, your heart might be calling for help.

Some people also experience shortness of breath when lying flat at night and can only sleep with their head elevated — a sign of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

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🩺 Three Levels of Prevention + Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

Instead of waiting for symptoms to appear, early prevention is the best protection. Following these three prevention levels can significantly reduce your risk of angina:

Level 1: Prevention Before Onset

Quit smoking, limit alcohol, maintain a healthy weight (BMI < 24), and avoid the “heart-harming” habits mentioned above.

Level 2: Early Detection

People over 40 should get annual cholesterol tests and ECGs. Those with hypertension or diabetes need even more frequent monitoring.

Level 3: Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

Patients who have undergone stent placement or bypass surgery must take medication consistently and attend regular follow-up appointments to prevent recurrence.

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🥗 Eat Smart to “Lighten the Load” on Your Heart

Eat more:

• Oats – lower cholesterol.

• Deep-sea fish – rich in Omega-3s that protect blood vessels.

• Black fungus (wood ear mushrooms) – prevent blood clots.

Eat less:

• Animal organs and buttery desserts – high in cholesterol and can clog arteries quickly.

Exercise:
Brisk walking for 30 minutes daily, maintaining a heart rate around 170 minus your age (e.g., 110 bpm for a 60-year-old), strengthens the heart without overexertion.

Gentle exercises like the Eight Brocades (Ba Duan Jin) from traditional Chinese medicine also help regulate blood flow and can be sustained long-term.

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⚕️ Important Notes

• When chest pain occurs, never ignore it or try to “endure” it.

• If chest pain lasts more than 15 minutes and doesn’t subside, it may be a heart attack — call emergency services immediately.

• Always follow your doctor’s medication instructions strictly. Herbal or traditional remedies cannot replace prescribed medication.

Protect your heart by changing your daily habits today — and keep angina far away.

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💬 Expert Advice: How to Prevent Angina

According to Dr. Nguyễn Quốc Việt, Interventional Cardiologist at Vinmec Đà Nẵng International Hospital:

Quit smoking: Two years after quitting, your heart attack risk drops significantly compared to current smokers.
Control high blood pressure: Even mild hypertension (above 130/80 mmHg in coronary patients) strains the heart and must be treated carefully.
Lose excess weight: This reduces the severity of angina symptoms.
Lower LDL cholesterol: Through diet and statins, this slows coronary artery disease progression and improves vascular health.
Exercise regularly: Walking daily lowers the risk of acute ischemic events and improves endurance.