Researchers from the University of Hong Kong have identified a clear link between a sedentary lifestyle and a higher risk of coronary heart disease. The findings, published in Wiley Online Library, emphasize how daily inactivity can influence heart health beyond a person’s genetic makeup. This study adds to a growing body of evidence that movement matters for the heart at every age and fitness level.
Coronary heart disease occurs when the heart muscle does not receive an adequate blood supply because arteries become narrowed by atherosclerotic plaques. When these plaques constrict the arteries, the blood flow to the heart muscle decreases, which can lead to chest pain and shortness of breath. Over time, this reduced blood flow can contribute to more serious cardiac events. The study revisits these mechanisms in the context of everyday activity, highlighting how lifestyle choices interact with vascular health to influence risk.
The research drew on data from 77,500 British men and women, offering a large, diverse sample for analysis. Investigators reviewed participants’ health histories and gathered detailed information about their mobility and activity levels in daily life. They also assessed each person’s inherited risk for ischemia using a polygenic score, a method that estimates how genetic factors might contribute to the likelihood of developing specific traits or diseases. By combining behavioral data with genetic risk, the researchers aimed to understand both independent and interacting effects on heart disease risk.
Results demonstrated that a sedentary lifestyle was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease regardless of one’s genetic predisposition. In other words, even individuals with a relatively low genetic risk could experience higher chances of heart problems if their daily routines involved long periods of inactivity. This finding underscores the importance of regular movement as a universal protective factor for heart health, not just for those deemed at high genetic risk.
In addition, the analysis showed that replacing one hour of sedentary time with an equivalent amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity could reduce the risk of developing coronary disease by about 9 percent. This practical takeaway emphasizes that small, consistent changes in daily behavior can accumulate into meaningful health benefits over time. Importantly, the study also found that physical activity may offer greater protective advantages to individuals with a genetic predisposition to ischemia than to those without such a predisposition, suggesting that activity could partly compensate for some inherited risks.
The authors hope these insights will inform future public health guidelines, including potential updates from global health authorities. By translating these findings into actionable recommendations, health organizations may better tailor activity standards to support people with heart disease and those at elevated risk. The study reinforces the message that movement is a fundamental component of cardiovascular prevention and that opportunities to be active can be integrated into daily life across communities and healthcare settings.
Overall, the research contributes to a clearer understanding of how lifestyle choices intersect with genetic factors to shape heart health. It reinforces the idea that regular physical activity is a powerful, accessible tool for reducing risk and improving outcomes in coronary heart disease, underscoring the value of movement in everyday life.