Sitting for Longer Hours Increases Risk of Heart Diseases Even in Those Who Exercise Daily: Study

Sitting for longer durations can harm cardiovascular health, finds a study.

Exercising regularly helps manage cholesterol, sugar, triglyceride and blood pressure levels in the body by metabolizing extra calories and energy. Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are the main reasons behind surging prevalence of obesity and related health conditions around the world. Recent clinical trials have also linked sedentary lifestyle to colon and uterine cancers in adults. Experts from the University of Texas found individuals who do not engage in regular physical activity and spend too much time sitting have decreased cardio-respiratory fitness levels.

Their study holds that sitting for nearly two hours can be as dangerous as not exercising for twenty minutes. Researchers observed fitness data, lifestyle habits and sedentary behaviors of 2,223 people who were a part of National Health Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The participants were aged between 12 and 49 and did not suffer from conditions like asthma, stroke and heart diseases. The subjects' fitness levels were measure using sub-maximal treadmill test and other variable like age, gender and BMI were recorded to calculate their risk for heart diseases.

Activities like sitting while watching television, reading and driving that make use of less energy increase the likelihood for cardiovascular diseases even among those who exercise regularly.

"Previous studies have reported that sedentary behavior was associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular outcomes; however, the mechanisms through which this occurs are not completely understood," said Jarett Berry, study author and assistant professor of Internal Medicine and Clinical Science at the University of Texas in a news release.

"Our data suggest that sedentary behavior may increase risk through an impact on lower fitness levels, and that avoiding sedentary behavior throughout the day may represent an important companion strategy to improve fitness and health, outside of regular exercise activity," he adds.

The authors encourage people employed in professions that require them to remain seated for longer durations to take short walks, change sitting positions and stretch to avert heart diseases and stroke. Cardiologists advise individuals to try their best to remain physically active by taking stairs instead of using elevators and hosting walking meetings or installing a treadmill at work locations.

More information is available online in the journal of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.