A sedentary life increases high blood pressure risk: Prolonged sitting is not the same as minimal physical activity. Today, we begin by looking at some of the problems that are associated with sitting. We will then turn to what you can do to lower your chances of getting high blood pressure.
The physiologic effects appear to be different between prolonged sedentary time and too little physical activity. Today, I want to share the results of a study showing walking lowers high blood pressure risk.
Before we turn to this recent study, let’s look at the Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle study. It examined the relationship between television viewing time and biomarkers of cardio-metabolic risk. Researchers enrolled 11,000 adults (without known diabetes) from all Australian states and the Northern Territory. Here is what they found:
Those who reported more television viewing appeared more likely to have abnormal glucose metabolism and metabolic syndrome.
Looking at television time as a continuous measure, the researchers discovered the greater the TV viewing time, the worse the blood levels of sugar (glucose) and fasting insulin. These relationships held, even when adjusted for moderate or vigorous physical activity and waist circumference.
Let’s look at how a sedentary life increases high blood pressure risk:
Learn more about lowering blood pressure here:
