Study: commuting puts health at risk

Motorists who commute more than 10 miles to work could be putting their health at risk and increasing their chances of suffering heart and lung issues, a new study has revealed.

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Researchers at Washington University studied almost 4,300 commuters and discovered the more miles people drove, the greater their chances of suffering high blood pressure.

The tipping point, said lead researcher Christine Hoehner, seems to be 10 miles for blood pressure – with those commuting more than 15 miles also having a greater risk of being obese.

More than half the people in the Texas study travelled more than 10 miles a day to work: nearly 20 per cent travelled more than 20 miles.

“The main finding is that the study was the first to show that long commutes can take away from exercise and are associated with higher weight, lower fitness levels and higher blood pressure, and all of these are strong predictors of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers,” Hoehner told Reuters.

“It really looked specifically and with objective outcomes at how long commuting really affects health.”

The findings have been printed in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine and are expected to be widely analysed as professionals try to understand the potential health risks of commuting.

In the US study, 90 per cent of people drove to and from work: the average commute was 12 miles – over the threshold of increased blood pressure risk…

How long is YOUR commute, and do you think your health is at risk because of how far you drive to and from work? Share your thoughts with us…

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