Lingering in front of the TV for hours can cause a pulmonary embolism

Increased risk of pulmonary embolism by sitting in front of the TV for a long time
People sitting in front of the TV for hours are at an increased risk of developing a deadly pulmonary embolism. "Couch Potatoes" should therefore always get up, move and take a lot of fluids.

Sitting in front of the TV for hours increases the risk of pulmonary embolism
Japanese researchers concluded in a study that people who spend five hours or more a day in front of their TV set are twice as likely to develop a fatal pulmonary embolism than those who watch TV for less than two and a half hours. This was reported by the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) on the occasion of the European Cardiology Congress (ESC) 2015 in London. According to study author Dr. Toru Shirakawa from the University of Osaka was the difference in the age group under 60 even more pronounced. "In this age group, the risk of fatal pulmonary embolism in people with more than five-hour television viewing was even six times higher than that of people watching TV under two and a half hours," the scientist quoted in the press release.

Long sitting increases the risk of life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Picture: Bilderzwerg - Fotolia

100,000 deaths a year
Usually a vascular occlusion (thrombosis) of a vein of the leg or pelvis is the starting point of a pulmonary embolism. An undiscovered thrombosis quickly becomes a mortal danger, warn physicians. Depending on its size, the dangerous plug can clog small or large pulmonary arteries, separating part of the lungs from the bloodstream. According to the German Society for Angiology - Society for Vascular Medicine e. V. (DGA) annually over 100,000 people in Germany die from pulmonary embolism. Risk factors for a thrombosis and thus a pulmonary embolism include a genetic predisposition, smoking, pregnancy or taking birth control pills.

Measures against the "economy class syndrome"
A very important risk factor is the immobility of the legs, such as on long-haul flights. Also, the results of the Japanese study could be at least partially explained, said the author. He explained: "For prevention, we therefore recommend similar measures for long-term television as against the so-called economy class syndrome, so get up regularly and walk around and drink enough water." The DGK press secretary, Professor Eckart Fleck, said: "The most important Message that we should take away from this new study: Whether watching TV, for a long time in front of the computer or in the car or airplane: sitting a long time and taking in too little fluid can be dangerous in terms of possible embolism. For that, we should raise awareness in public. "(Ad)