We have all heard it before! Sitting is the new smoking. But is that really the whole story? What about standing for too long? Could that be just as bad for your heart health - or worse?
It is about time to uncover the truth about these two seemingly opposite activities and how they affect your cardiovascular system.
New Study Reveals the Dangers of Standing for Too Long
Standing for too long might sound healthier than sitting, but new research shows that this assumption is not entirely accurate. In fact, standing for prolonged periods can lead to a range of circulatory issues, which may increase the risk of heart problems. When you are standing for hours, the blood tends to pool in your legs and feet, making it harder for your heart to pump blood back up to the rest of your body.
Consequently, this can cause swelling, varicose veins, and even orthostatic circulatory diseases, which occur when blood pressure drops too low after standing up.
Mikhail / Pexels / Researchers at the University of Sydney discovered that standing more throughout the day doesn’t necessarily lead to better heart health.
In fact, standing for too long without moving could increase the risk of circulatory issues. So, while standing might seem like a great way to offset the dangers of sitting, it might not be the heart-healthy solution many of us believe it to be.
How Sitting Affects Your Heart
On the other hand, sitting for long periods has been studied for years, and the results are not great for your heart either. When you sit for hours on end, your body becomes inactive. This lack of movement lowers your metabolic rate, making it easier for fat to accumulate in your arteries. This can lead to a buildup of cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Even worse, studies show that sitting for more than 10 hours a day increases your risk of cardiovascular disease significantly.
When you are sitting, your muscles are essentially “turned off.” And that inactivity can slow down blood flow, making it easier for blood clots to form. This has the potential to lead to serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, where clots can travel to your lungs or brain, causing life-threatening complications.
Is There a Middle Ground?
So, what is the solution if both sitting and standing for too long pose risks to your heart health? The key might be to find a balance between the two. Our bodies are designed to move. Whether you are standing or sitting, being static for long periods is the real culprit.
Research suggests that incorporating movement into your daily routine can mitigate the negative effects of both standing and sitting for too long.
RDNE / Pexels / Short bursts of activity, such as taking a quick walk, stretching, or even standing up to stretch every 30 minutes, can make a huge difference.
Moving around helps improve circulation, activates your muscles, and gets your blood pumping. You don’t have to hit the gym for hours to see the benefits. Small, consistent movements throughout the day could be the key to protecting your heart.
While standing engages your leg muscles and might burn a few extra calories compared to sitting, it doesn’t have the same heart-boosting benefits that regular movement does. In fact, standing for too long can increase your risk of developing orthostatic circulatory diseases, which happen when blood pools in your lower extremities.
Over time, this could lead to long-term cardiovascular issues, such as chronic venous insufficiency, where your veins struggle to return blood to your heart. Simply put, standing for too long may be just as harmful to your heart health as sitting.
