In adults under the age of 60, engaging in sedentary activities such as reading or using the television and computer significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke.
- In adults under 60, low physical activity combined with more than eight hours of sedentary activity per day increases the risk of ischemic stroke up to 7 times.
- Hence the importance of carrying out public health campaigns aimed at young adults, in order to encourage them to change their lifestyles in order to reduce this risk.
Sedentary activities like reading or watching TV, combined with lack of physical activity, puts you at increased risk of stroke. This is highlighted by a new study published in the journal Stroke. Conducted by the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada, it shows that the risk of cardiovascular disease, and in particular stroke, is largely correlated with modifiable risk factors such as sedentary behavior.
“Time spent sedentary is increasing in the United States and Canada, explains Raed A. Joundi, lead author of the study. It is important to understand whether high sedentary time can lead to stroke in young individuals, as stroke can lead to premature death or significantly impair function and quality of life.”
A risk of stroke up to 7 times higher in sedentary people
Researchers analyzed health and lifestyle information from 143,000 adults with no history of stroke, heart disease or cancer. They followed them for an average of 9.4 years, which allowed them to identify strokes that occurred during that time through hospital records.
The time spent per day on sedentary leisure activities (hours spent on the computer, reading and watching television) were then divided into categories: less than four hours per day; four to less than six hours a day; six to less than eight hours a day; and eight or more hours a day. The researchers also measured the participants’ physical activity. The lowest level was equivalent to a walk of 10 minutes or less per day, which is less than half of what the American Heart Association’s physical activity guidelines recommend.
During the follow-up period, 2,965 strokes occurred. Nearly 90% of them were ischemic strokes, the most common type of stroke, which occurs when a vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked.
The researchers also noted the average daily sedentary time for all participants, estimated at 4.08 hours. In those aged 60 and under, low physical activity plus eight or more per day of sedentary activities increased the risk of stroke by 4.2 compared to those who reported spending less than 4 hours per day in sedentary activities.
In the most inactive group (eight or more sedentary hours and low physical activity), the risk of stroke was even seven times higher than in participants who reported spending less than four hours a day doing activities. sedentary and engage in more intense physical activity.
Targeting young adults in public health campaigns
“Adults 60 and under should be aware that very high sedentary time with little time spent in physical activity can have adverse health effects, including increased risk of stroke, emphasizes Professor Joundi. Physical activity has a very important role in that it reduces the actual time spent sedentary, and also appears to decrease the negative impact of excessive sedentary time.” According to the specialist, public health policies should place greater emphasis on the importance of physical activity and reduced sedentary time in young adults to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and strokes.
The researchers also noted the average daily sedentary time for all participants, estimated at 4.08 hours. In those aged 60 and under, low physical activity plus eight or more per day of sedentary activities increased the risk of stroke by 4.2 compared to those who reported spending less than 4 hours per day in sedentary activities.