Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and there’s no better time to talk about our hearts. Good heart health, achieved through regular physical activity and a balanced diet, lowers your risk of diseases and conditions such as coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Lowering your risk of these illnesses may have another unexpected perk: protecting your hearing health.
How Do Heart-Related Conditions Affect Hearing?
Two conditions that can arise from or even contribute to poor cardiovascular health and increase your risk of hearing loss include:
- Diabetes. A 2021 study found that adults with diabetes were twice as likely to develop hearing loss as those without diabetes. Researchers are still trying to understand the complete picture of why the relationship may exist, but some theories point to low blood flow and elevated blood sugar levels. Either factor can reduce the number of healthy blood vessels in the inner ear, potentially damaging the hearing system.
- High blood pressure. A 2013 study found that high blood pressure (hypertension) could accelerate the degeneration of the hearing apparatus with age. A second 2021 study found a similar connection. The second study stated that elevated blood pressure in the inner ear, either from the condition itself or from ototoxic medications used to treat high blood pressure, could be the culprits behind the connection.
Taking care of your cardiovascular health is one excellent way to minimize your risk of these conditions and protect your hearing from unnecessary damage.
Tips for a Healthy Heart
Try the following to keep your heart healthy:
- Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods and sugary drinks will help protect your heart. You can grab some vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains from Oasiss Fresh Market for a little healthy meal prep.
- Exercise regularly. Getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity is crucial to a healthy heart. Add in some strength-training days to build a whole-body fitness routine.
- Destress. If you find your blood pressure rising in traffic or toss and turn every night because your brain is keeping you up, you’re probably dealing with a high level of stress. Try taking a yoga class, reading, watching your favorite movie or cooking your favorite meal once a week to destress your system.
- Treat conditions early. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, start treatment as soon as possible. You may need to take medication, monitor your blood pressure, change your diet or administer insulin to stay healthy.
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s also a good idea to get regular hearing tests. Contact Eastern Oklahoma Ear Nose and Throat – Yale Office today to schedule your test.