Hypertension by 40, diabetes by 50, heart attack by 60: Delhi cardiologist warns of rising health risks of sedentary life

Sedentary lifestyle can indeed bring about a lot of health challenges in the long run (Picture Credit: Pexels)

Delhi-based cardiologist Dr Shailesh Singh recently commented on how most of us go to extreme lengths to lead comfortable lives with every convenience at our disposal. From hiring dog walkers, cleaners, cooks to getting our laundry done by someone, we hire help for almost everything so that we don't have to life our finger. However, Dr Singh highlighted that leading a comfortable lifestyle comes at an uncomfortable cost in the form of hospitable bills.

Take a look at his post:

Dogwalker - ₹5,000
Car cleaner - ₹1,500
Dhobi - ₹1,000
Cook - ₹8,000

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Total: ₹15,500/month to avoid physical work

Bypass surgery: ₹5 lakhs
ICU per day: ₹25,000
Lost income: ₹10 lakhs

Still think physical work is beneath you?

— Dr Shailesh Singh (@drShaileshSingh) November 10, 2025

Clearly, the way he did the math, we are signing up to incur a huge loss if we continue to live the "comfortable life". The doctor further went on to explain that a lot of us give excuses like 'we are swamped with work', 'we're too tired', 'our knees can't take that much load' to avoid doing any household work. However, the doctor warns that these habits harm us in the long run and at the same time the new generation also imbibes the same from us. He said that all these modern conveniences are a silent trap and designed to trigger diseases like high BP by the age of 40, diabetes by the age of 50 and heart attack by the age of 60.

Dr Singh also said that the office boy who delivers tea walks 15K steps in a day, whereas those of us who keep sitting at our desks barely walk 5K steps. This increases the longevity of the office boy even though he earns way less than most of you. The takeaway? Money can buy you all comfort and conveniences, but it's only movement that can buy health.

Here's how you can lead a active lifestyle:

Buy your own groceries
Walking through the store helps you move more and make healthier food choices.

Cook your own meals
Preparing food on your own will not help you stay active, but also you will get to eat fresh food with healthy ingredients.

Do your own laundry
You must try doing chores like sorting, washing, and folding clothes yourself. This will help you stay active.

Walk after meals
A short 10–15 minute walk improves digestion and blood sugar control.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator
Want to build stamina and strengthen your leg muscles? Try taking stairs instead of elevators.

These small habits can go a long way in improving your fitness levels.

Also read: Bengaluru-based fitness coach shares 25 tips that will help you get in best shape

FAQs on harmful effects of leading a sedentary lifestyle:

1. What is a sedentary lifestyle?
It means spending most of the day sitting or being physically inactive.

2. How does being inactive affect my health?
It increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

3. Can sitting too long cause back pain?
Yes. Poor posture and weak muscles from prolonged sitting often lead to back and neck pain.

4. Does inactivity affect mental health?
Yes. Lack of movement can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression.

5. How can I reduce sedentary habits?Take short walks, stretch regularly, and use standing desks or movement breaks.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.