A new study highlights the dangers of excessive sitting and lying down, revealing that regular exercise may not be enough to prevent serious heart issues. The research, led by a team from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, suggests guidelines should be introduced for the maximum time people can spend sitting and minimum exercise required.
The study analyzed data from 89,530 people who wore fitness trackers for a week, finding that those who sat for over 10-and-a-half hours a day were at increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. Even those who met exercise recommendations showed health repercussions.
Individuals with high sedentary time faced the greatest risks, but those who exercised regularly still experienced negative effects. The researchers emphasize that their findings do not prove cause and effect, but there is enough evidence to suggest a link between sitting and major heart issues.
Experts recommend reducing sedentary time to 10-and-a-half hours per day or less to minimize cardiovascular risk. This minimal target may be achievable for better heart health.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/too-much-sitting-can-still-be-harmful-even-if-you-exercise-study-warns