A new study reveals that sitting for more than 10.6 hours daily significantly raises the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death, even for those who meet exercise recommendations.
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study analysed data from nearly 90,000 participants, tracking their movement using accelerometers.
It found that those sitting for over 10 hours a day experienced a marked increase in risk for heart failure and cardiovascular mortality, with the risk escalating after this threshold. “There appeared to be an ‘inflection point’ at 10.6 hours, where the risks became significantly higher,” said Dr. Shaan Khurshid, the study’s co-author.
Notably, while regular physical activity—150 minutes of moderate-vigorous exercise per week—reduced the risks of heart attack and atrial fibrillation linked to sedentary behavior, it did not offset the risks for heart failure or cardiovascular death. “The effects of excessive sitting on heart failure and mortality remain, even for those who meet exercise guidelines,” Khurshid added.
Dr. Christopher Berg, a cardiologist at MemorialCare, stated that while exercise can reduce some risks, it cannot entirely counteract the harm of prolonged sitting.
He encouraged those with sedentary jobs to incorporate short movement breaks, such as taking stairs or walking, to reduce heart risks. “Even small steps can make a cumulative difference,” Berg said.
Experts suggest avoiding long periods of inactivity by integrating light movement throughout the day, such as using standing desks or taking walking breaks.
This approach, combined with regular exercise, may be key to maintaining heart health and reducing long-term cardiovascular risks.
