There have been multiple studies conducted to determine the relationship between television viewing and coronary heart disease, and the findings have been consistent – extensive television viewing is associated with a higher risk for developing coronary heart disease.

What is coronary heart disease?

Coronary heart disease is a condition in which plaque buildup in the arteries restricts blood flow to the heart, leading to chest pain, heart attacks, and heart failure. It is a leading cause of death worldwide.

How does television viewing affect coronary heart disease risk?

Research has shown that the more television an individual watches, the higher their risk of developing coronary heart disease.

This is due in part to the sedentary behavior associated with prolonged television watching, which is known to contribute to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels – all risk factors for coronary heart disease. Additionally, excessive television watching often involves exposure to unhealthy food commercials and increased snacking, which can contribute to poor dietary habits and weight gain.

What do the studies show?

A 2010 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology surveyed over 8,000 adults about their television viewing habits and followed up with them over a 6.5 year period.

The study found that individuals who watched more than 4 hours of television per day had a 80% greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than those who watched less than 2 hours per day. This risk was present even after controlling for factors such as age, gender, smoking status, and physical activity level.

Another study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health looked at the television watching habits of over 11,000 participants over a 6-year period.

The study found that every additional hour of television watching per day was associated with a 18% increase in coronary heart disease risk.

What are the implications of these findings?

These studies highlight the importance of reducing sedentary behaviors such as excessive television watching, which can contribute to the development of chronic health conditions such as coronary heart disease.

Encouraging individuals to engage in physical activity, adopt healthier dietary habits, and limit time spent watching television may help reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease and improve overall health outcomes.

Conclusion

The relationship between television viewing and coronary heart disease is clear – the more television an individual watches, the higher their risk for developing this serious and potentially deadly condition.

While the exact mechanisms behind this association are still being researched, the evidence is compelling enough to warrant efforts to encourage individuals to reduce their sedentary behavior and engage in more physical activity.