Don’t defend yourself.
One study has suggested that standing for too long does not improve heart health and could even increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Experts have warned for years that staying still for much of the day increases the risk of numerous health problems, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes, cancer and even premature death.
However, Australian researchers have now said that standing rather than sitting does not reduce the likelihood of heart and vascular problems.
Scientists, who tracked the exercise patterns of more than 80,000 Britons, found that standing for two hours a day did little to increase the chances of developing circulatory problems.
Study suggests standing for too long doesn’t improve heart health and could even increase risk of deep vein thrombosis
While some warning signs are easy to spot, such as severe chest pain, others are more vague and difficult to identify.
But the risk increased by 11 percent for every additional half hour after that.
Dr Matthew Ahmadi, a population health expert at the University of Sydney and lead author of the study, said: “Standing for too long will not compensate for a sedentary lifestyle and could be risky for some people in terms of circulatory health. “.
“We found that more time on your feet does not improve long-term cardiovascular health and increases the risk of circulatory problems.”
In the study, researchers analyzed cardiac and circulatory data from 83,013 adults with an average age of 61, who wore smartwatch-like devices on their wrists to track their movements.
During a seven-year follow-up, they found About eight percent suffered a cardiovascular problem, such as heart disease, stroke and heart failure.
Just over two percent reported a circulation problem, such as varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis.
Their risk of circulation problems was significantly higher even after just a few hours of standing, the researchers said.
In contrast, the risk of circulatory problems decreased slightly between six and ten hours of sitting.
Each additional hour above ten hours increased the likelihood of circulatory problems by 26 percent.
Staying still for more than 12 hours also increased the risk of cardiovascular disease by 13 percent per hour.
writing in the International Journal of EpidemiologyScientists concluded that sitting for long periods of time was bad for your health.
But they also advised that people who want to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease should exercise more regularly rather than relying on standing for long periods each day.
Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, a population health expert at the University of Sydney and co-author of the study, said: “For people who sit for long periods on a regular basis, including plenty of incidental movement throughout the day and structured exercise can be a better way to do it.” to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
“Take regular breaks, walk, walk to a meeting, take the stairs, take regular breaks when driving long distances, or use that lunch hour to get away from the desk and get some movement.”
It comes as data from earlier this year revealed that premature deaths from cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes have reached their highest level in more than a decade.
Cases of heart attacks, heart failure and stroke among those under 75 had been declining since the 1960s thanks to plummeting smoking rates, advanced surgical techniques and advances such as stents and statins.
But rising rates of obesity and its catalog of associated health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, are now believed to be one of the main contributing factors.
Slow ambulance response times for category 2 calls in England, which include suspected heart attacks and strokes, as well as long waits for tests and treatment, have also been attributed to the rise, which is also being felt in adults. younger.
Despite anti-vaxxers’ claims, cardiologists say fears that Covid vaccines may have led to a rise in heart problems are wildly misplaced.