Researchers Say More Action Cuts Heart Attack Risk
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us sit a lot. We know we need to be more active, but now researchers have come up with new supporting evidence to motivate us.
University of Buffalo researchers studied the records of some 80,000 postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study, average age 63
Moving More Cuts Risk
Women who sat more than 8.5 hours daily had a 54 percent higher risk for a heart attack than those who sat less than 4.5 hours daily.
Women who reported sitting or lying down for more than 9 hours a day had a 42 percent higher risk of a heart attack than those who averaged 6.5 hours daily sitting or lying down.
Overall, some 1,400 women in the nine-year study were living with heart failure at the end of the study, and time spent sitting was a prime contributor.
Finally, the researchers concluded women who kept sedentary activities to less than 4.5 hours a day cut their heart failure risk in half.
What This Suggests
For those of us who sit at least 8 hours a day at work, and then sit some more in the evening, this calls for new strategies. Inserting breaks throughout the day or using a treadmill desk or sitting/standing adjustable computer platform would be a good start.
Adding more counters to the workspace area to review projects, sort mail and make calls could work. Using walking as a way to mull over projects, and adding extra activities could help. Early morning runs, walks after lunch or time spent on a stationary bike in the evening could reduce sitting time. Also plan active weekends camping, biking, doing nature hikes, swimming or spending time on the courts.
We are all different, but finding ways to grow a more active lifestyle will obviously protect our hearts and keep us heathier. Here are a few that I have added.
- Parking sneakers by the door as a reminder to walk every day
- Adding workout, walking buddies
- Setting up a family tracking log to see who does what and when and rewarding leaders
- Dividing the day in half with a bigger space in the middle to spend outdoors
If you want to move more to improve your heart health, start with your doctor to get weight, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. At the same time, discuss your diet and any new exercises that you are considering.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Chula Vista, Calif.