Sedentary Behavior Increases Cardiac Event Risk, Study Finds

People who remain sedentary for extended periods after experiencing a cardiac event are at a substantially higher risk of subsequent cardiovascular problems, according to research published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

The study of approximately 600 adults aged 21 to 96 found that individuals spending more than 14 hours daily in sedentary behavior were over 2.5 times more likely to experience another cardiac event or die within a year of hospital discharge. Researchers used wrist accelerometers to track participants' physical activity levels and sedentary time.

Notably, replacing just 30 minutes of sedentary time with physical activity demonstrated significant health benefits. Moderate to vigorous activity reduced adverse cardiovascular event risks by 61%, while light-intensity activities lowered risks by 50%. Surprisingly, even replacing sedentary time with an extra 30 minutes of sleep decreased risk by 14%.

Study lead author Keith Diaz emphasized that patients need not engage in intense exercise to see improvements. Small changes like moving more or sleeping slightly longer can make meaningful differences in cardiovascular health.

The findings underscore the importance of movement and rest in post-cardiac event recovery, suggesting healthcare professionals should adopt more flexible, individualized approaches to patient rehabilitation.