A new study suggests that sitting for more than 10 hours a day could significantly increase the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular-related death, even among individuals who meet the recommended levels of physical activity.
Researchers warn that living a sedentary lifestyle can have serious consequences for heart health, and the risks associated with prolonged sitting may not be fully mitigated by regular exercise.
The study, co-authored by Dr. Shaan Khurshid, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). The findings indicate that sitting for 10.6 hours or more per day is linked to a higher likelihood of developing heart failure and cardiovascular mortality, a risk that persists even among those who get the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week.
While it is well-established that physical inactivity is harmful to overall health, including cardiovascular health, the new study highlights a concerning gap in understanding the specific impact of sedentary behavior.
“For this reason, it’s important to better understand how sitting and sedentary behavior in general may affect health, and whether these effects may be mitigated by exercise and physical activity,” Dr. Khurshid explained.
Researchers analyzed data from almost 90,000 participants in the UK Biobank, aged 62 on average. The participants wore accelerometers for over a week to track their physical activity and sedentary behavior. After an eight-year follow-up, the study revealed that excessive sedentary time, particularly beyond the 10.6-hour mark, significantly increased the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death.
Interestingly, the study found that meeting the recommended levels of physical activity did reduce the risks of atrial fibrillation and heart attacks related to sedentary behavior. However, it did not diminish the increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality linked to prolonged sitting. This suggests that while exercise is crucial, it cannot fully counteract the negative effects of excessive sitting.
Dr. Khurshid noted that “avoiding excess sedentary behavior is also important” and could provide another method of improving public health. He recommended strategies such as incorporating walking breaks or using standing desks to reduce sitting time during the day. The study also suggested that reducing the number of days spent sitting for extended periods could lower the associated risks, even if it’s not possible to avoid long hours of sitting every day.
Board-certified cardiologist Dr. Christopher Berg added that while the study’s findings are not surprising, they reinforce the importance of avoiding a sedentary lifestyle. He pointed out that substituting sedentary time with light activity, such as taking the stairs or walking, can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. He also emphasized the importance of movement reminders, such as those found on fitness trackers, to encourage more activity throughout the day.
The broader public health implications are also significant. Research has shown that physical inactivity is a leading contributor to chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. In the US, 24% of adults and only 1 in 5 adolescents meet the national physical activity guidelines, leading to higher rates of preventable diseases and increased healthcare costs.
With input from Medical News Today and the Post and Courier.
