Too much sitting linked to heart attack and stroke -- even if active
A report from the Women’s Health Initiative showed that women who sat for 10 or more hours a day were 18% more likely to have had a heart attack or stroke over a 12-year period than women who sat for five hours or fewer. While that’s not entirely surprising, the risk was increased even among women who sat a lot but got recommended levels of daily physical activity. Taken together with previous studies of sitting done in men and mixed groups, the findings suggest that prolonged sitting is a heart hazard for everyone. The other message from this line of research is that activity trumps sitting.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Source matters. Subscribe to HarvardHealthOnline+ FREE for 30 days for unlimited access to the site – where all content is reviewed by an HMS physician or faculty expert.
With HHO+ you get these exclusive benefits:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
SPECIAL OFFER! UNLOCK EXPERT ACCESS for 30 days FREE!
Already a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.