Researchers advise taking frequent breaks while binge-watching TV to reduce blood clot risk, according to research that revealed watching four hours or more per day is linked with a 35% increased risk of blood clots compared with watching under 2.5 hours per day. Physical activity did not prevent the increased risk associated with prolonged TV viewing. It’s therefore essential to take breaks by standing and stretching every half an hour or using stationary bikes, in addition to cutting back on unhealthy snacks while binge-watching television.1
The study explored the correlation between watching television and venous thromboembolism, or blood clots in the lungs known as pulmonary embolism, and deep vein blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis which could travel into pulmonary embolism.
Researchers conducted a systematic review to collect published data on their topic, then combined it through meta-analysis – combining multiple studies together produces more reliable and accurate results compared to an individual study alone.
This analysis involved three studies which included 131,421 participants aged 40 years or older without preexisting venous thromboembolism. TV viewing time was evaluated with a questionnaire, with prolonged viewers (watching at least 4 hours/day of television) classified as such; never/rare viewers (under 2.5 hours a day watching television) classified as such.
Average follow-up duration across three studies ranged from 5.1 to 19.8 years and over this time 964 individuals went on to develop venous thromboembolism. A comparison was performed between prolonged TV viewers vs. never/seldom TV viewers and revealed that prolonged watchers had a 1.35 times increased risk for developing venous thromboembolism than never/seldom viewers.
This relationship was independent of BMI, sex, age and physical activity. These factors were adjusted for in all three studies as they are strongly associated with venous thromboembolism risk; such as higher BMI older age and physical inactivity being linked to greater risks of venous thromboembolism. According to our results, watching television for several hours each day may increase blood clot formation regardless of physical activity levels, BMI or gender.
Researchers cautioned that their results rely on observational studies and do not prove that prolonged TV viewing will result in blood clots.
One possible explanation for the observed association may be due to immobilization resulting from prolonged TV viewing being an increased risk factor for venous thromboembolism. Individuals are advised to move around after surgery or during long-haul flights in order to decrease this risk factor, and sitting for extended periods in cramped positions results in blood pooling in extremities instead of circulating normally, leading to blood clot formation. Binge-watchers tend to enjoy eating unhealthy snacks which increase both high blood pressure and obesity rates which in turn increases risk factor risk factor of blood clot formation further increasing risks further.
