Heart Surgeon Reveals 6 Everyday Habits He Avoids for a Healthy Heart

Dr. Jeremy London, a board-certified heart surgeon, has revealed six common habits he avoids to protect his heart—and he’s urging others to do the same.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally. In the UK alone, it causes over 170,000 deaths annually. Dr. London, who regularly performs heart surgeries and bypasses, says most heart conditions develop slowly—often due to lifestyle choices.

Here are the six things he avoids:

1. Smoking and Vaping
Dr. London calls smoking “the worst thing you can do” for your heart. It speeds up atherosclerosis—hardening of the arteries—and vaping is just as harmful, showing negative effects on heart and vessel function.

2. Alcohol
He gave up drinking three years ago, calling it life-changing. “Alcohol is toxic to every cell,” he says, predicting it may become “the new smoking.”

3. Sugary Soft Drinks
Soda is packed with hidden sugars and empty calories. Dr. London warns they’re a “scourge in our society.”

4. Alcohol-Based Mouthwash
It may raise blood pressure by killing helpful mouth bacteria, especially risky for those prone to hypertension.

5. Refined Flour Products
White bread and pasta are stripped of essential nutrients. He recommends whole grains for better heart health.

6. Ultra-Processed Foods
“The longer the shelf life, the shorter your life,” Dr. London warns. Stick to whole, one-ingredient foods for better heart and gut health.

Your daily choices matter—start protecting your heart today.