As individuals reach a certain age, more and more time is given towards leisurely activities – be it increased use of television, computers or other small activities. However, it is this increased use which is leading scientists to believe individuals are at a higher risk of stroke than those who remain more physically active.
The number of deaths related to stroke is on the rise amongst adults; with the total number increasing by almost 2% within just 6-years.
The American Stroke Association recently found adults in the US spend over 10-hours a day connected to electronic devices; the vast majority of people being between 50 and 65-years of age.
These findings are giving researchers a cause for concern, as Raed Joundi from the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary in Canada says: “Leisure sedentary time is specific to the sedentary activities done while not at work. It is important to understand whether high amounts of sedentary time can lead to stroke in young individuals, as a stroke can cause premature death or significantly impair function and quality of life.”
Throughout the research conducted with the American Stroke Association, researchers reviewed health and lifestyle factors for over 140,000 adults with no prior health concerns between 2000 and 2012.
Researchers then followed the participants for an average of 9.4 years, identifying strokes through linkages with hospital records. After reviewing the amount of time spent throughout the day on sedentary activities, and the time spent on physical activities, they found:
- Almost 3000 strokes occurred hurting the 9.4 year average, of which nearly 90% of those were ischemic strokes; the type that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is obstructed
- The average daily sedentary time was over 4-hours with adults under 60-years showing low physical activity and therefore 4.2 times higher for risk of stroke
- Those reporting over 8-hours of sedentary time and low physical activity were 7 times higher for risk of stroke
“Adults 60 years and younger should be aware that very high sedentary time with little time spent on physical activity can have adverse effects on health, including increased risk of stroke,” Professor Joundi said.