Millions of Brits are putting their lives at risk because they are classed as officially lazy, heart experts warn

Couch potato: The British Heart Foundation is encouraging people to do more activity
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Chloe Chaplain3 April 2017

Millions of Brits are putting themselves at risk of suffering an early death by being too lazy and not doing enough exercise.

The British Heart Foundation has warned that 20 million people in the UK are physically inactive – increasing their chances of heart disease by a third.

The charity said this “stubborn” laziness is costing the NHS around £1.2 billion every year.

It classes people as inactive if they do not meet government guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate exercise and two days of strength activities each week.

The charity is calling on people to strive for a more active lifestyle in order to prevent serious illness.

Activity: The charity is encouraging Brits to do more exercise
Shutterstock / Pavel1964

The study found that 76 per cent of people in England who have suffered a heart attack or had heart surgery do not do enough exercise.

It also found that women are 36 per cent more likely than men to be classified as inactive.

And that the worst part of the UK for laziness is the North West of England, which has a 47 per cent rate (2.7 million adults) of inactivity.

The South East had the lowest rate of laziness at 34 per cent.

Dr Mike Knapton, of the British Heart Foundation, said: “Physical inactivity is one of the most significant global health crises of the moment.

“Levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour in the UK remain stubbornly high, and, combined, these two risk factors present a substantial threat to our cardiovascular health and risk of early death.

"Evidence shows keeping physically active can reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease by as much as 35 per cent and risk of early death by as much as 30 per cent."

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