Researchers found that patients who spent more time sitting or lying down were more likely to experience another cardiac event within a year, regardless of other risk factors like age, sex, or severity of the initial event. The study highlights the importance of reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity in cardiac patients to improve outcomes and reduce the risk of future events.
These findings add to a growing body of evidence that suggests sedentary behavior is detrimental to overall health, not just heart health. From increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity to poorer mental health outcomes, sitting for long periods of time has been linked to a variety of negative health effects. Experts recommend breaking up long periods of sitting with short bouts of physical activity, like standing up and stretching every hour, to mitigate the negative impact of sedentary behavior.
As we continue to learn more about the effects of sedentary behavior on health, it’s important for individuals to be mindful of how much time they spend sitting and to find ways to incorporate more movement into their daily routines. Whether it’s taking a short walk during a break at work or doing a quick workout at home, small changes can make a big difference in overall health and well-being.
Thank you for reading Morning Rounds. Have a healthy and active day!
A recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes revealed that individuals who are the least active, spending more than 15 hours a day in sedentary behavior, are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing another cardiac event or death within a year of hospitalization compared to the most active group, who are sedentary for less than 12 hours a day.
The study, conducted between 2016 and 2020, involved over 600 patients who had suffered a heart attack or chest pain and were treated at the Columbia University Medical Center. These patients were asked to wear wrist devices for 30 days after returning home, which tracked their daily movement. Researchers followed up with each patient one year later through either direct contact or electronic records.
The data collected from the study showed that replacing 30 minutes of sedentary time with 30 minutes of light activity, moderate to vigorous activity, or sleep each day could reduce the risk of another cardiac event or death by 50%, 61%, and 15% respectively. It is important to note that the data is based on patients from a single medical center, and the wrist devices used in the study could only measure the intensity of activity, not whether the individual was sitting or standing.
In other news being discussed in the health sector:
– The case of a brain-dead pregnant woman being kept on life support is raising concerns among advocates, as reported by The 19th.
– A major study showing the life-saving impact of Medicaid comes at a time when Congress is considering cuts to the program, according to the New York Times.
– The FDA has approved the first blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, as reported by STAT.
– The closure of abortion clinics, even in states where it is legal, is a topic of discussion in NPR.
– Updates from the ASGCT conference include speculation by Vinay Prasad, screening of newborns, and promising data, according to STAT.
These findings highlight the importance of staying active and reducing sedentary behavior to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of future cardiac events. It is crucial for individuals to prioritize physical activity and make small lifestyle changes to promote overall well-being and heart health.
