A new study warns that standing desks may not be as beneficial for health as previously thought, suggesting they could increase the risk of conditions such as swollen veins and blood clots in the legs. Standing desks have gained popularity as a way to combat the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. However, research involving over 80,000 UK adults found that standing does not reduce the risk of diseases like stroke and heart failure, contrary to common belief.
The study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, revealed that prolonged standing, exceeding two hours a day, could potentially lead to issues such as deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins. Dr. Matthew Ahmadi from the University of Sydney cautioned that standing for extended periods does not improve cardiovascular health in the long term and could even pose risks to circulatory health.
Previous research by Dr. Ahmadi’s team indicated that engaging in vigorous exercise for just six minutes daily could help lower the risk of heart disease, even for those who spend more than 11 hours sitting. To determine if standing offers any health benefits, researchers analyzed data from 83,013 adults in the UK Biobank database. The study found that for each additional 30 minutes of standing beyond two hours, the risk of circulatory disease increased by 11%.
The findings suggested that standing did not lower the risk of heart conditions like stroke, heart failure, or coronary heart disease. On the other hand, sitting for over 12 hours a day was associated with a 15% increase in heart disease risk for each extra hour spent sitting. Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis from the University of Sydney advised incorporating frequent movement breaks, incidental activities, and structured exercises into daily routines as a more effective approach to reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
Emily McGrath, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, highlighted the importance of staying active throughout the day to mitigate health risks. McGrath recommended aiming for 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly to lower the risk of heart and circulatory diseases. She emphasized that physical activity could not only reduce health risks but also help manage weight, improve sleep, boost energy levels, reduce stress, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.