Sitting too long could increase risk of Heart disease, early Death – Study 

A new study has indicated that sitting down for more than eight hours in a day could increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

It also noted that people who sit for too long are equally more prone to heart disease complications leading to death.

The study further indicated that reduction of inactive time, as well as increasing physical activity, could be crucial to easing the burden of untimely deaths and cardiovascular disease worldwide

The population-based cohort study which was published in the JAMA Cardiology studied 105,677 participants from 21 countries, aged 35 to 70. 

Participants were enrolled from January 1, 2003, and followed up until August 31, 2021.

Out of 105,677 participants, 61,925 were women and the mean age was 50 years.

The researchers made use of data from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study and discovered that longer sitting time during the day was linked to an increased risk of premature death and major cardiovascular disease events, such as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure.

According to findings from the study, individuals who sat for eight or more hours daily had a 20 per cent increased risk for all-cause death and major cardiovascular disease events, compared to those who sat for four hours per day.

The researchers also discovered that when ranked by country income levels, the association of long sitting time with death and major CVD was found to be stronger in lower- and lower-middle-income countries in comparison with high-income and upper-middle-income countries.

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The cohort study said, “Compared with those who reported sitting time less than four hours per day and high physical activity level, participants who sat for eight or more hours per day experienced a 17 per cent to 50 per cent higher associated risk of the composite outcome across physical activity levels; and the risk was attenuated along with increased physical activity levels.

“High amounts of sitting time were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality and CVD in economically diverse settings, especially in low-income and lower-middle-income countries.

“Reducing sedentary time along with increasing physical activity might be an important strategy for easing the global burden of premature deaths and CVD.”