Can prolonged sitting cause serious health issues like cardiac arrest?

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Can prolonged sitting cause serious health issues like cardiac arrest?

A female college student suffered cardiac arrest on a long trip, highlighting the risks of "economy class syndrome" and the need for activity.

Keywords: Cardiovascular health, Travel Safety

Sitting still for too long can lead to significant problems.

Recently, a news story about a first-year female student who suffered cardiac arrest after sitting in a hard seat for 31 hours while returning to school became a hot topic. Fortunately, medical staff managed to revive her. Doctors indicated that the condition experienced by this 19-year-old girl is referred to as "economy class syndrome."

During the peak return period of the Spring Festival travel rush, filled with the exhaustion of long-distance travel, imagine this scene: you're squeezed into a narrow seat, scrolling on your phone for eight hours, dozing off and waking up, your legs numb to the point of losing feeling. Finally, as you arrive and stand up—at that moment, your legs feel like they've been filled with lead, your back aches, and your vision can even blur... This is no illusion; prolonged sitting can indeed lead to serious health problems!

The Most Dangerous Consequence: "Economy Class Syndrome" Could Be Fatal.

You may have heard of "economy class syndrome"—this condition is not exclusive to airplanes; the risk subtly approaches if you sit in a car for more than four hours without moving.

After curling up for an extended period, blood flow in the lower limbs can stagnate, making it easy to form blood clots. If you suddenly stand up and move, a clot may dislodge and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, potentially causing a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal.

Reports have noted a woman who tragically died after sitting on a long-distance bus for over 20 hours; there was also a passenger who suffered cardiac arrest after sitting on a train for 16 hours and then stood up.

In addition to thrombosis, which is an emergency, prolonged sitting is harmful to the entire body.

The pressure exerted on the lower back is immense.

Sitting puts 1.5 times the pressure of body weight on the lumbar spine; a slight forward lean increases the pressure to 2.5 times. Extended sitting compresses the intervertebral discs, which can lead to lumbar muscle strain and lumbar disc herniation.

"Traffic Jam in Blood Vessels:" The slowdown in blood flow can result in the accumulation of "waste" in blood vessels, potentially leading to issues with blood lipids and blood pressure.

"Gastrointestinal Laziness:" Prolonged sitting causes the intestines to slow down, resulting in reduced peristalsis, which can cause indigestion, bloating, and constipation.

"Legs and Feet at Risk:" If the calf muscles remain inactive for a long time, they can gradually atrophy. Poor venous return can lead to swelling and possibly varicose veins.

No matter how exhausting the journey may be, remember to remind yourself:

1. Start doing micro-exercises.

If possible, stand up and walk around every 30 to 60 minutes, or perform "ankle pumps"—flex your toes up and down forcefully, like pressing a gas pedal, repeating this motion 10 to 15 times. This action helps to activate the calf muscles and promote blood circulation back to the heart.

2. Drink more water to keep blood thin.

Take a few sips of water every hour to prevent your blood from becoming overly thick. Limit your intake of coffee, strong tea, and alcohol, as these diuretics can lead to dehydration.

3. Individuals at high risk should wear compression socks.

Wear a pair of medical-grade compression stockings as advised by your doctor; they can assist with blood circulation.

4. Follow the doctor's guidance when using medications.

High-risk individuals, such as the elderly, pregnant women, cancer patients, those with a recent history of major surgery, diabetes patients, individuals with cardiovascular diseases, and those with a history of thrombosis, should consult a specialist doctor before traveling.

Remember: Don't cross your legs or remain still while looking at your phone. Your body needs circulating blood. During every long journey, remember to flex your feet and get up to walk a few steps periodically—after all, arriving safely is the best culmination of any journey.