Heart health Medical tests & procedures Preventive care

8 surprising things that can harm your heart

Learn more about some lesser-known risks to your heart health.

Jan, 2026

Sitting too much, or not moving enough

Having depression and not getting help or treatment

Being unemployed or losing your job

Not taking good care of your teeth and gums

Eating too much salt, sugar, and saturated (solid) fats, like butter

Having to travel far each day for work or other commitments

Smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco products

Taking too many drug-store pain medications too often

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Many people know that smoking and an unhealthy diet are harmful to the heart. But some dangers are less obvious—and may be life-threatening, according to Ashesh Parikh, DO, of Medical City Alliance and Medical Center of Fort Worth in Texas.

Here are eight lesser-known risks to your heart, and how to protect your health.

Written byBeth Ward.

Medically reviewed byAmy Gonzales, MD.September, 2025

Sources: Reinberg + 11

Reinberg, Steven. “Even Mild Depression, Anxiety Hurt the Heart.” Everyday Health. August 1, 2012.
“Screen Teens With Depression for Heart Disease, Experts Say.” HealthDay. August 11, 2015.
Blue, Laura. “Unemployment is hard on the heart, and the harm may add up.” TIME.com. November 23, 2012.
Klystra, Carmen. “10 Things Your Commute Does to Your Body.” TIME.com. February 26, 2014.
Walton, Alice. “Study: ‘Southern Diet’ Strongly Linked to Heart Disease.” Forbes.com.
American Dental Hygienists Association. “INFLAMMATION: The Relationship Between Oral Health and Systemic Disease.”
American Heart Association. “Inflammation and Heart Disease.”
Reinberg, Steven. “More Evidence That Southern Cooking Boosts Heart Risk.” HealthDay. August 10, 2015.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “E-cigarettes & Heart Health.”
Cleveland Clinic. “E-Cigarettes: Tobacco-Free, But Your Heart May Still Be at Risk.”
Curfman, Gregory. “FDA strengthens warning that NSAIDs increase heart attack and stroke risk.” Harvard Health Publishing. July 13, 2015.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA strengthens warning that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause heart attacks or strokes."

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