How many times have you just plopped down on the couch and started to binge watch a show from start to finish?

We've all been there and done that at one time or another. Trouble is that some shows have multiple seasons, and it could take hours of watching to get to that final episode.

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Well according to a new study by the American Heart Association, being a couch potato and sitting there binge watching shows on Netflix, or Hulu for four hours or more could put you at higher risk for blood clots in the legs or lungs and that could increase your risk to develope cardiovascular disease and early death by 35%, even in healthy individuals.

The survey, just reported by healthday.com, found that when people who sit in a cramped position for long periods of time tend to have blood pool rather then circulate, and this is the main cause of blood clots.

The study examined the rates of possible clots in over 130,000 people age 40 and over, and the findings were surprising. They found out that the clotting risk of those so called "couch potatoes" increased after long binge watching sessions regardless of someone's age, weight, or how much they even worked out.

The American Heart Association did offer some suggestions if you feel the need to do a little binge watching.

  • Take breaks when binge watching, don't do it all at once
  • Stand and stretch every 30 minutes
  • Have a stationery bike near the TV to keep you moving while you watch
  • Avoid combing TV with unhealthy snacking

So it's OK to enjoy your favorite show one episode at a time, but just remember to keep your viewing to a minimum as far as time is concerned. You'll eventually get through the entire series, but it just make take you a little longer.

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