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Standing desks may do more harm than good, study finds

New research finds standing doesn't reduce heart risk and may cause circulatory issues

16-Oct-2024

Key points from article :

Standing desks, once promoted as a remedy for sitting too much, may not offer the health benefits many believe. A recent study from the University of Sydney suggests that prolonged standing does not lower the risk of heart disease and may even increase the likelihood of circulatory issues like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and varicose veins. The study, which examined over 80,000 adults in the UK, found that standing for more than two hours a day raises the risk of circulatory problems by 11% for every additional 30 minutes.

Although standing desks have become popular to counteract the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, Dr. Matthew Ahmadi, one of the researchers, explained that standing for long periods isn’t enough. Regular movement breaks and activity throughout the day are crucial for cardiovascular and circulatory health. Suggestions include taking walking meetings, using stairs, or staying active during lunch breaks.

The study’s findings emphasize that simply standing at a desk may not prevent heart-related conditions like stroke or heart disease. To truly protect long-term health, staying active and avoiding long periods of being stationary is key.

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The University of Sydney

Australia's leading higher education and research University

Topics mentioned on this page:
Sedentary Behaviour, Heart Disease
Standing desks may do more harm than good, study finds