'I'm a cardiologist – avoid 5 things if you want a healthy heart' (2025)

Dr Nicole Harkin, a cardiologist and founder of a preventative heart health site, has shared five things she would "never" do as a cardiologist to protect the health of her heart - and one may seem controversial

A cardiologist has unveiled a list of five things she would "never" do to protect her heart's health, and some may seem quite controversial.

It's important to ensure your heart's health, as poor management of it can lead to several serious and high-risk conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD).

The British Heart Foundation explains: "Most heart attacks are caused by coronary heart disease. CHD causes your coronary arteries to become narrowed by a gradual build-up of fatty deposits called atheroma."

Other concerns and risks include high blood pressure and cholesterol, both known contributors to CHD, in addition to the risk of developing diabetes. These ailments can significantly impact your quality of life and lead to further serious medical issues.

In an effort to raise awareness about the impact of certain lifestyle choices and common symptoms affecting heart health, many healthcare professionals regularly turn to social media platforms to offer their expert advice and tips.

Nicole Harkin MD, founder of Whole Heart Cardiology, is one such cardiologist keen to impart her wisdom with the masses online.

In a popular video posted to TikTok, Dr Harkin outlined five things she would personally avoid in a bid to maintain her heart's wellbeing – including shunning one common food item many might find surprising:

Smoking

First, she singled out smoking as particularly harmful and said: "Almost all of the heart attacks I've seen in young women are in women who smoke."

The NHS has similarly highlighted the dangers of smoking, stating: "If you smoke, giving up will reduce your risk of developing CHD. Smoking is a major risk factor for developing atherosclerosis (furring of the arteries)."

Smoking's association with severe health issues such as strokes, heart disease, and respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis is well-documented. It also significantly increases the risk of various cancers, including those of the lung, mouth, throat, and larynx.

Cancer Research UK cautions: "Smoking is the biggest cause of cancer in the UK, and worldwide. Smoking damages the cells in our body and causes at least 16 different cancer types."

Dismiss chest pain

The cardiologist then emphasised the importance of not ignoring chest pain, regardless of perceived low risk factors - like being relatively young - for heart attacks or other serious heart conditions.

She explained: "A shocking amount of heart attacks happen in people who would be considered low risk by traditional screening criteria, and people are always so much sicker when they roll into the hospital having had chest pain for hours."

Eat bacon

When it comes to dietary choices, Dr Harkin takes a firm stance against bacon due to its associated health risks, despite its popularity.

She pointed out: "Regular consumption of processed meat - think hot dog, burgers, deli meat - has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease" and noted that these meats can cause arterial damage.

The NHS has issued advice on dietary choices, urging the public to "avoid food containing saturated fats, because these will increase the levels of bad cholesterol in your blood". Foods high in saturated fats, such as meat pies, sausages, and fatty cuts of meat, are on the NHS's list of items to "avoid".

Ignore family history

Dr Harkin stressed that being aware of one's family history, particularly when there is a "strong history of heart disease", is very important and shouldn't be ignored.

She advised regular check-ups with a doctor and screening, noting that neglecting family history is a common reason for young people experiencing heart attacks.

The British Heart Foundation supports this view, stating: "If family members have had heart or circulatory disease, you might have a higher risk of getting conditions that can lead to heart attack or stroke."

Be 'ungrateful' for a good night's sleep

Dr Harkin, who juggles a busy life with three children and an intense career, said she "cherishes" her sleep.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute corroborates the importance of sleep, linking sleep deficiency to various chronic health issues "including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression."

Adults are recommended to aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night.