Binge watching your favorite Netflix show can lead to fatal blood clots, according to a new study.
The Osaka University in Japan recently released a study that shows how prolonged television watchers have a six-fold increase in the risk of developing fatal blood clots, otherwise known as pulmonary embolism.
“Leg immobility during television viewing may in part explain the finding,” said Tory Shirakawa, public health research fellow in the Department of Social Medicine, at a meeting in London. “To prevent the occurrence of pulmonary embolism, we recommend the same preventive behavior used against economy class syndrome. That is, take a break, stand up and walk around during the television viewing.”
The 18-year study was done by analyzing 86,000 men and women between the age of 40 and 79. The results showed that those who watched more than five hours of television a day were more likely to suffer from blood clots by deep vein thrombosis.
People aged 60 or less who watched five hours or more of TV had more of a risk of fatal blood clots than those who only watched one or two hours a day.
The study also revealed that 59 people in the study died from pulmonary embolism during the follow up period.
Shirakawa said pulmonary embolism not only comes from binge watching TV, but the same applies to those who sit in front of the computer for long hours without taking a break.
“Prolonged computer gaming has been associated with death from pulmonary embolism but to our knowledge a relationship with prolonged smartphone use has not yet been reported,” Shirakawa said.
Pulmonary embolism’s symptoms usually include shortness of breath, chest pain and dry coughing. People suffering from pulmonary embolism might also experience a fast heart rate and constant lightheadedness.
