Is Sedentary Behavior a Novel Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease?

Abstract

Purpose of review: Review the most recent evidence on the role of sedentary behavior in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Recent findings: Prospective cohort studies continue to suggest a relationship between sedentary behavior and CVD, but the dose-response association, and the implications of sedentary pattern (vs. total volume) and context on CVD risk require further investigation. Most recent evidence suggests that physical activity influences the association between sedentary time and CVD risk, and that replacing sedentary time with other movement behaviors yields cardiometabolic benefits. Short-term intervention studies have further demonstrated that interrupting prolonged sitting with bouts of physical activity can elicit acute improvements on cardiometabolic biomarkers and vascular function relative to prolonged, uninterrupted sitting, albeit limited evidence exists on the long-term effects. More conclusive evidence regarding the implications of sedentary time on CVD risk is warranted before the optimal sedentary behavior reduction prescription for the prevention of CVD can be elucidated.

Keywords: Cardiometabolic risk factors; Cardiovascular disease; Prevention; Sedentary behavior; Sedentary pattern.