High blood pressure—also known as hypertension—has earned the nickname “the silent killer.” Unlike many conditions that cause pain or obvious symptoms, hypertension can quietly damage the body for years without being detected. By the time signs appear, the risks are often severe: stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and even dementia. The good news? With the right strategies, you can take control of your blood pressure and protect both your brain and cardiovascular health.

When most people think about longevity, they imagine advanced therapies or breakthrough supplements. But the truth is, the biggest threats to a long, healthy life are often found in our everyday routines. The choices you make each day—how you eat, move, sleep, and manage stress—can either strengthen your future health or slowly chip away at it.

As a functional cardiologist, I see firsthand how common lifestyle patterns influence not just heart health but also brain function, energy, and resilience. Here are ten everyday habits that may be quietly undermining your longevity—and how to turn them around.

As a cardiologist with more than 20 years of experience, I’ve seen how quickly blood clots can turn into life-threatening emergencies when they’re not recognized or prevented. Clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism) are among the most serious complications I treat, but the encouraging news is that most are preventable. Your daily habits have more influence than you might realize.