Sitting Too Much Could Kill You, Even After a Heart Scare, Study Says

According to a study, a sedentary lifestyle has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death.

People who sit for more than 14 hours a day or lead a sedentary lifestyle may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease or death for a year following treatment for heart attack symptoms, according to a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

As society has evolved, sedentary lifestyles and a lack of exercise have been repeatedly identified as health hazards. Sedentary lifestyles are known to raise the risk of several diseases, including cardiovascular disease, especially in Asian nations where they are ingrained in the culture.

The study team tracked 600 adults, ages 21 to 96, who sought treatment for chest pain or heart attacks in a New York City hospital’s emergency department. The participants wore wrist accelerometers and were provided data for an average of 30 days following discharge.

In addition to measuring the time spent sitting or inactive each day using a wrist accelerometer, the participants’ health was evaluated a year after discharge using the Social Security Death Index, electronic health records, and a telephone survey.

According to the study, participants in the group with the least amount of physical activity had a 2.58-fold increased risk of dying or experiencing a recurrence of heart disease in comparison to those in the group with the highest level of physical activity within a year.

Additionally, cardiovascular disease and death risk were lowered by 61% when moderate to high-intensity physical activity was substituted for 30 minutes of sitting time each day.

According to the researchers, the risk was lowered by 50% when low-intensity light physical activity was substituted, and by 14% when sleep was substituted.

The researchers emphasized the need for this, saying that even just sitting less, moving a little more, and sleeping can lead to real changes.