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Excess sedentary time raises risk for coronary artery calcification
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The more time spent sedentary each day was associated with increased risk for coronary artery calcification, according to a new report.
However, reduction of sedentary time had a greater impact on calcification than increased physical activity.
The study included data from 2,031 adults (mean age, 50 years; 62% women) without known CVD who were enrolled in the Dallas Heart Study. Participants underwent coronary artery calcification (CAC) scoring via CT and also worse an accelerometer for 4 to 7 days to monitor physical activity.
Daily sedentary time during waking hours ranged from 1 to 12 hours (mean, 5 hours).
The researchers observed no association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and CAC on adjusted analyses. However, multivariable analyses indicated a significant association between sedentary time and CAC score greater than 10 (OR = 1.1; 95% CI, 1.01-1.21 per hour), after adjustment for confounders including age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, BP, cholesterol, socioeconomic status and activity, among others. CAC increased 14% with each increasing hour of sedentary time (P = .046) after adjustment for confounders, according to results of a Tobit analysis.
"Increased subclinical atherosclerosis may be one of the mechanisms through which sedentary behavior increases cardiac risk and differs from the cardioprotective mechanisms that exercise activity," Jacquelyn Kulinski, MD, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said during a press briefing held prior to the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions. "On a positive note, reducing daily sitting time by even 1 to 2 hours could have a significant and positive impact on future CV health, and this should really be investigated in future studies."
Full results of this study will be presented at the ACC Scientific Sessions. The Cardiology Today, Cardiology Today’s Intervention and Healio.com/Cardiology team will provide live coverage of the conference from San Diego. Visit Healio.com/Cardiology throughout the meeting and beyond for more breaking news, video interviews and more. – by Adam Taliercio
For more information:
Kulinski J, et al. Abstract 1178-114. Presented at: American College of Cardiology Scientific Session & Expo; March 14-16, 2015; San Diego.
Disclosure: Kulinski reports no relevant financial disclosures.