Heart surgeon reveals top daily habits for optimal heart health

Sleep is the most powerful daily habit for protecting long-term heart health, according to Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon who recently ranked common wellness practices in a rapid-fire Instagram “this or that” challenge.

In the video posted on May 5, London compared several popular health habits — including red wine, CoQ10 supplements, oral care, rucking and fiber intake — to determine which offers the greatest cardiovascular benefit. 

While he acknowledged that each has value, he stressed that consistent basics matter more than trendy fixes. 

The surgeon first chose CoQ10 over red wine, noting that although red wine contains beneficial polyphenols, consuming enough to gain meaningful health effects could be harmful. 

He then ranked good oral hygiene above CoQ10, saying daily brushing and flossing can significantly influence inflammation and heart health.

When asked to compare oral care with rucking — walking with a weighted vest or backpack — London selected rucking for its strong cardiovascular exercise benefits.

He also placed rucking above daily fiber intake, despite fiber’s well-known role in stabilising blood sugar and supporting metabolic health.

But when rucking was matched against sleep, London was unequivocal.

“Honestly, sleep reigns supreme,” he said, explaining that inadequate rest weakens performance in nearly every other health area, including recovery, metabolism and exercise consistency. 

London said the biggest gains in heart health still come not from supplements, but from simple, repeatable habits practised every day.