If you are worried about your kids and spouse spending too much time before the television, then you better do something about it right away. Experts confirm that watching television 4 hours continuously per day can increase the risk of heart ailments by 28%. There is an increased 7% risk for every hour spent before the TV added to the 4 hours mentioned earlier. This is good reason enough to make you think about the extended hours you prefer watching the idiot box rather than take a walk in the garden or even walk the dog.

The Epidemiology Unit of the UK based Medical Research Council carried out a study among 13, 197 healthy middle aged men and women for over a period of ten years. Apart from other factors which might cause heart ailments like lack of exercise, smoking and drinking, watching TV was also found out as having adverse effect on the heart. Apart from this over excitement and the rising and falling of emotions can cause heart attacks as they release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

The research threw light on facts like people snacking junk food unmindful of the quantity they eat when they watch TV. While watching TV there is totally no exercise for the body and you drink very little fluid. There are increased risks of back pains and joint pains because of bad posture for prolonged time.

A British Heart Foundation Nurse comments, “This study strengthens the argument that sitting for hours on end watching TV is not good for your health. It’s easy to snack on unhealthy foods and slouching on the sofa only burns a few calories.

“People can – and should – enjoy watching their favorite TV programs or the World Cup without becoming couch potatoes by doing at least 30 minutes physical activity five times a week. This doesn’t need to be a trip to the gym; a walk in the park or taking the stairs at work all help make a difference.”

Now that the world cup Foot Ball matches are on sleepless nights watching TV can have adverse health issues which might affect the heart later on. The best alternative to watch the world cup and also to get the lost sleeping hours is to find time for power naps during work hours. If in case you are an avid fan it is better to take time off from work and concentrate only on that.