Sitting Too Much After a Heart Attack Could Be Deadly.

A 2025 study led by Columbia University found that people who spent more time sitting after a heart attack or chest pain episode had more than 2.5 times higher risk of dying or having another heart event within a year. But there’s good news: swapping just 30 minutes of sitting for light activity—like walking or tidying up—cut the risk by 50%, and moderate activity cut it by 61%.

Researchers tracked 609 heart patients for a month using wrist accelerometers. Those who moved more and slept longer (instead of sitting) had far fewer heart issues over the next year. Even replacing sitting with sleep showed benefits, likely due to its role in healing after a cardiac event.

If you’ve had a heart scare, get up often, move your body gently, and sleep enough—your recovery may depend on it.