Is Sitting Right After a Meal Worse for Your Heart Than Smoking? Experts Explain
Is Sitting Right After a Meal Worse for Your Heart Than Smoking? Experts Explain
While smoking is a well-known health hazard, experts say that long hours of sitting can also be dangerous — but is sitting down immediately after a meal really worse than smoking? Cardiologists say no, but warn that prolonged inactivity can still seriously harm your heart.
What experts say:
Dr Dhinesh David, Consultant Cardiologist at KIMSHEALTH, Trivandrum, clarified that there’s no evidence showing that sitting right after eating is more harmful than smoking. However, sitting for long periods — especially over eight hours a day — without physical activity can be almost as risky as smoking, he told to indianexpress.com.
“When you sit, your metabolism slows by around 30% compared to when you stand or walk. This can cause weight gain and fat buildup in arteries, leading to heart problems,” Dr David explained. He added that many people who work from home sit for hours without moving, which contributes to obesity, poor metabolism, high blood sugar, and inflammation — all risk factors for heart disease.
What happens when you sit too long:
Dr Mohit Sharma, Senior Consultant at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, said that research shows sitting for more than 6–8 hours a day increases the risk of early death. A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that too much sitting is linked to higher chances of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and overall mortality.
According to him, sitting for over eight hours daily raises death risk by 34%, while smoking 1–5 cigarettes a day increases the risk of heart disease by 40–50%.
“Smoking harms the body more quickly, while sitting causes slow, long-term damage,” he said. “Both are dangerous, and improving lifestyle habits is key to better health.”
Dr Sharma also noted that sitting for too long raises LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol, a major cause of heart disease.
Other side effects of sitting too much:
Dr K. Somnath Gupta, Senior Consultant Physician at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, added that sitting for long hours can also affect the muscles and posture. “It causes stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and back, weakens leg and glute muscles, and increases the risk of injuries or falls,” he explained.
Tips to reduce sitting time:
Experts recommend moving around every two hours.
- Take a 15-minute walk after meals or between work tasks.
- Stretch or stand while taking phone calls.
- Keep your back straight and stay hydrated.
Dr Sharma also warned that long sitting hours can affect mental health, causing low motivation, poor focus, and anxiety.
(Disclaimer: This article is based on expert opinions and public information. Please consult your doctor before making lifestyle changes.)
