A cardiologist is raising awareness about a troubling trend that many tend to overlook: the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a California-based cardiology expert with over 20 years of experience, took to Instagram recently to warn about a common daily habit that significantly increases the risk of severe heart-related issues.
The danger of ‘sitting for hours’
“Sitting for long periods doubles your heart attack risk, yet most people aren’t aware of it,” he bluntly stated. While many focus on diet or smoking, Dr. Bhojraj emphasized that inactivity is a major contributing factor to heart disease in his practice.
“In my years of experience, I’ve consistently seen that people aren’t moving enough. Prolonged sitting reduces blood circulation, spikes blood sugar levels, and increases the chance of blood clots. That’s how the risks for heart attacks and strokes worsens,” he noted.
What should you do?
Dr. Bhojraj pointed out that making a change doesn’t mean committing to a rigorous gym schedule. Instead, he encouraged a simple shift in daily habits. His advice? “Stand up every 30 to 60 minutes. Walk around. Do some squats. Just keep moving. It’s really that easy.”
Global health data supports the warning
The World Health Organization (WHO) backs Dr. Bhojraj’s concerns, identifying physical inactivity as one of the top risk factors for death from non-communicable diseases in its latest data. According to the WHO, adults who don’t meet physical activity recommendations face a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of premature death compared to those who stay active.
Additionally, sedentary behavior contributes significantly to conditions like hypertension and obesity, which are gateways to cardiovascular disease. A 2022 report cited by the WHO pointed to sedentary lifestyles as costing around $27 billion in healthcare worldwide due to the rise in type 2 diabetes and heart disease linked to inactivity.
Experts assert that sitting for extended periods leads to a ‘metabolic slowdown.’ When the body remains stationary, the enzymes needed to break down fats in the blood diminish. Reports on cardiovascular health underline the mismatch between contemporary lifestyles—centered around desks and couches—and human biology.
This article serves as informational content and does not replace professional medical advice.
