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A cardiologist has shared six things he "never" does after 6pm to protect his heart health. You may not realise that some of these habits could be risky.

According to the British Heart Foundation, eight million people live with a cardiovascular disease.

And it is estimated that more than half of Brits will develop a cardiovascular condition in their lifetime.

It's therefore important we do all we can to improve our heart health. While many of us know that eating a healthier diet and exercising regularly are great ways to boost our overall lifestyle, there are small everyday habits that could secretly be damaging our efforts.

With this in mind, cardiologist Doctor Francesco Lo Monaco, founder of the National Heart Clinic in London and author of Heart Saviour, shared six things you should always avoid doing after 6pm to keep your heart healthy.

Don't use strong mouthwash

The first thing Dr Lo Monaco advises against is using any strong antibacterial mouthwash.

He said: "The bacteria in your mouth helps convert compounds from food into nitric oxide, which keeps your blood vessels flexible and able to relax when needed.

"However, some powerful mouthwashes can wipe out this bacteria, which can raise blood pressure, which is not what you want when your body should be resting and recovering from the day."

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No blue light exposure

Scrolling in bed before falling asleep has become a common habit for many of us, but it could be causing more harm than you realise.

Dr Lo Monaco said: "Bright blue-rich light in the evening, especially through the eyes, can suppress melatonin, which isn't just for sleep, it's actually one of the most protective antioxidants for your blood vessels.

"So less melatonin means more oxidative stress in your arteries over time."

Avoid intense static exercises

Whether it's planks, wall sits, or dead hangs, these exercises can elevate blood pressure for hours, warns Dr Lo Monaco.

"If you've already had a stressful day, your nervous system is in overdrive, and heavy late-night strain keeps it there," he said. "Train hardest early in the day and keep any late-evening exercise sessions lighter to help your heart."

Avoid calming supplements

While it might seem beneficial to have something such as green tea to calm yourself before sleep, it's actually the opposite.

Dr Lo Monaco explained: "Something such as L-theanine, found in green tea, influences your stress response and nervous system, and your heart rhythm is directly connected to that.

"With the wrong dose, timing, or context, supplements can interact with sleep in ways we don't always predict, which can unbalance your natural heart rhythm."

Don't hold your breath for a long period of time

Breathwork is something often practised to help people improve their sleep patterns, but done incorrectly, it could damage your heart health.

Dr Lo Monaco said: "I value breathwork, but long or repeated breath-holding can drop oxygen levels and put extra load on the heart in some people.

"During REM sleep your blood is slightly more prone to clotting. If someone already has underlying vascular or sleep issues, stacking extra stressors on top of that isn't wise."

Avoid eating in the three hours before sleep

Finally, Dr Lo Monaco advised fasting three hours before sleep to reduce stress on the heart as well as improve blood pressure control.

"If you eat too close to when you sleep, your body is being forced to increase sympathetic activity when it should be resting," he said. "By simply fasting three hours before bed you will reduce endothelial stress and improve vascular flexibility, meaning less oxygen demand on your heart and more efficient overnight recovery during sleep."