Blame modern life , but it turns out that sitting down all day puts you at more risk of having a heart attack or stroke . However , before you put your trainers on to make up for a day at your desk , experts warn going to the gym won ’ t help either . A study has found that for every hour each day an adult spends sitting down during their life , the likelihood of developing heart disease goes up by 14 per cent . A study has found that for every hour each day an adult spends sitting down during their life , the likelihood of developing heart disease goes up by 14 per cent ( file picture ) And they said a session at the gym won ’ t repair the damage because any increase in fitness from an hour ’ s exercise is undone by several hours of sitting . The study , presented at the American College of Cardiology in San Diego , California , adds to evidence of the damage caused by our sedentary lifestyles . Government research warned last year that inactivity was as deadly as smoking and responsible for a sixth of deaths in Britain . Scientists from the Medical College of Wisconsin in the US looked at levels of activity of 2,031 adults whose average age was 50 . They compared the number of hours spent sitting down each day with levels of deposits in blood vessels that signal for heart disease . Sitting down all day puts you at more risk of having a heart attack or stroke , a study has found ( file picture ) The adults spent two to 12 hours a day sitting at the office and then in front of the TV . Researchers found that for every hour spent sitting , the levels of artery deposits increased by 14 per cent . Adults who went for regular runs , gym sessions or aerobics classes were no less at risk . Lead researcher Dr Jacquelyn Kulinski , an assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine , urged adults with office jobs to stand up or go for a walk every hour , adding : ‘ Reducing the amount of time you sit by even an hour or two a day could have a significant and positive impact on your future cardiovascular health. ’ Despite the research suggesting the benefits of exercise could be quickly undone , she said it was important to aim for at least 30 minutes a day . ‘ It ’ s clear that exercise is important to reduce your cardiovascular risk and improve your fitness level. ’ ‘ The lesson here is that it ’ s really important to try to move as much as possible in your daily life , for example , take a walk during lunch , pace while talking on the phone , take the stairs instead of the elevator and use a pedometer to track your daily steps . ‘ And if you do have a very sedentary job , don ’ t go home at night and sit in front of the TV for hours on end. ’ The news comes as it was revealed that antidepressants could protect against heart attacks and strokes . A US study of 5,000 patients found they were 50 per cent less likely to die or develop heart disease . Scientists believe their improved mood has a major effect on their health . June Davison , Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation , said : ‘ We know that sitting down for long periods can have a negative effect on our heart health . ‘ If you have a sedentary job it ’ s important to keep active during the day . You can try and get active by walking to see a colleague rather than sending an email , or taking the stairs rather than the lift . ’
Fitness boost from an hour 's exercise undone by several hours of sitting . Study adds evidence of the damage caused by our sedentary lifestyles . Experts looked at activity levels of 2,031 adults whose average age was 50 . Research carried out by scientists at the American College of Cardiology in US .