Work, TV combining to create new disease
Aug 16, 2012, 7:07 AM | Updated: 7:07 am
Fighting heart disease may be as easy as standing up to take the next phone call.
New government statistics find 65 percent of Americans spend more than two hours a day watching television after they head home from work. That’s creating an epidemic of something called “sitting disease.”
Valley cardiologist Dr. Ashish Pershad said many people don’t realize how much time they spend sitting each day.
“You’re essentially sitting at your desk at work for eight hours a day and then at home in front of the television for two to three hours per day,” he said.
Pershad said people who sit for several hours a day face health-related problems.
“Being a couch potato for more than that much time per day dramatically increases your risk of cancer, diabetes and hypertension,” he said.
Pershad also said people should move around whenever possible. Walk while talking on the phone, stand while checking email and even while doing laundry.
Some offices now offer standing desks and even treadmills in the conference room to encourage physical activity.
