A heart surgeon has revealed the six things people should "absolutely avoid" if they don't want to ‘actively poison’ their bodies.
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the USA, with 1 in 3 deaths across the nation being due to the illness, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among these, coronary heart disease, also known as ischaemic heart disease, is the most common type and the top cause of heart attacks globally.
Dr. Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon based in Georgia, knows the toll heart disease can take, because he sees it up close every day. Whether he's repairing damaged vessels or performing life-saving bypass surgeries, he's often working with patients whose health declined after years of poor habits.
He told TODAY.com that heart problems don’t usually happen overnight, they build up over time, often silently.
And while some risk factors can’t be controlled, he says there are six everyday things you can avoid to help stay out of his operating room.
1. Smoking/vaping
Top of the list? Smoking, which Dr. London calls “the worst thing you can do for yourself.” Well, that's no surprise...
“If you already have a history of heart disease or a tendency toward atherosclerosis, smoking can accelerate that damage exponentially,” he warns.
He’s also sounding the alarm on vaping, pointing to growing research showing that it may harm heart and blood vessel function in similar ways.
2. Alcohol
Dr. London quit drinking three years ago, and hasn’t looked back. “Alcohol is toxic to every cell in your body,” he said. “I think in the future, alcohol will be viewed the way we see cigarette smoking now.”
He admits it’s a personal choice, but does say: “Whether it’s one drink a night or one a week, it’s still putting a toxic substance into your system.”
3. Soft drinks
Sugary sodas? Hard pass. “I think soft drinks are a scourge,” he said. “People don’t always realize how many empty calories they’re consuming.”
High-sugar beverages not only spike your blood sugar but also contribute to obesity and heart strain over time, per the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation.
4. Alcohol-based mouthwash
Surprisingly, your mouthwash could be doing more harm than good, especially if it contains alcohol.
“You can actually raise your blood pressure just by killing off mouth bacteria,” Dr. London explained. That’s particularly risky for anyone already dealing with hypertension.
5. Refined flour products
White bread and pasta may be pantry staples, but Dr. London opts for whole grain alternatives.
Refined flour has been stripped of key nutrients like fibre, iron, and B vitamins, all of which support heart health. Whole grains, on the other hand, help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
6. Ultra-processed foods
“The longer the shelf life, the shorter your life,” London said bluntly.
Packaged, highly processed foods are often packed with additives, salt, and unhealthy fats, and linked to poor gut health and increased cancer risk.
His advice: Stick to simple, whole foods with few ingredients. If your grandmother wouldn’t recognize it as food, maybe don’t eat it.
By ditching these six habits, Dr. London is doing everything he can to protect his heart, and helping others avoid an appointment on his operating table. Because let’s be honest: skipping soda is a small price to pay for dodging open-heart surgery.