There are days at work when tasks and deadlines pile up, leading many employees to skip meals to cope with the workload. However, skipping meals, especially breakfast or lunch, can negatively impact heart health. Delaying meals can result in increased hunger later in the day, leading to overeating unhealthy foods with high calories but low nutrients. This irregular eating pattern can contribute to weight gain, higher cholesterol levels, and elevated blood pressure, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that individuals who skip breakfast have an 87% greater risk of cardiovascular-related deaths compared to those who eat breakfast regularly. Dr. Amit Kumar Gupta, Senior Medical Director at HCL Healthcare, explains that skipping meals can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, placing stress on the body's sugar regulation system and potentially leading to insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes and other metabolic disorders. To promote heart health, it is essential to maintain a regular eating schedule with balanced meals that supply vital nutrients and steady energy. Consuming frequent, small meals can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent drastic fluctuations that strain the body, particularly the cardiovascular system. Taking a balanced approach to nutrition in the workplace, including planning nutritious snacks and meals, can be a proactive measure in lowering the risk of heart disease.Skipping meals significantly raises the risk of heart disease due to the intricate relationship between metabolism, stress, and cardiovascular well-being. Missing meals, especially during long work hours, disrupts blood sugar levels, potentially leading to insulin resistance over time, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, which poses a significant health threat.A risk factor for heart disease is the body's reaction to prolonged fasting, which includes increased cortisol secretion, a stress hormone. This elevated cortisol can elevate blood pressure and contribute to hypertension, adding strain to the cardiovascular system. Dr. Sarita Gulati, an Interventional Cardiology Consultant at Manipal Hospital in New Delhi, warns that skipping meals often leads to unhealthy food choices later in the day. This tends to result in consuming high-calorie, high-fat foods, causing blood glucose and triglyceride spikes. Such sudden increases are harmful as they promote atherosclerosis, where plaque accumulates in the arteries, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Consistently missing meals can also lead to weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area, closely linked to heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Disrupting the body's circadian rhythm with irregular eating patterns is another critical factor. This disruption can negatively impact cholesterol metabolism, raising LDL (bad cholesterol) levels while lowering HDL (good cholesterol) levels, further increasing the risk of coronary artery disease. Combine workplace stress with poor nutrition, weakening the body's ability to manage inflammation, which is another contributing factor to heart disease. To promote optimal heart health, it is advisable to maintain a regular eating schedule and focus on balanced, nutrient-rich meals. This approach helps stabilize blood sugar levels, supports healthy cholesterol management, and reduces stress, all crucial in lowering the long-term risk of heart disease.