According to a report published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Thomblysis, spending too much in front of the tv screen can cause venous thrombosis and not even exercise can help negate the effects of long periods of watching.
Scientists from the University of Minnesota examined data from 15,158 US nationals aged between 45 and 64. After checking the health status of participants, including whether they exercised or smoked as well as their current weight, researchers analysed hospital records 24 years later.
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Findings suggest that those who regularly watched television were 1.7 times more likely to suffer a venous thromboembolism (VET) compared to infrequent viewers. Interestingly, results suggest that health status such as weight and exercise routines were irrelevant.
"These results suggest that even individuals who regularly engage in physical activity should not ignore the potential harms of pro-longed sedentary behaviours such as TV viewing," says lead author of the study, Yasuhiko Kubota. "Avoiding frequent TV viewing, increasing physical activity and controlling body weight might be beneficial to prevent VTE."
Unsure if you're suffering from a VTE, check out the 6 signs you might have a blood clot.