LONDON: A new health warning has been issued concerning the use of standing desks, cautioning that these popular office setups may not alleviate the health risks associated with prolonged inactivity. Recent scientific findings suggest that standing desks might increase the risk of developing conditions like swollen veins and blood clots in the legs.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, a study involving more than 80,000 UK adults revealed that standing does not significantly reduce the risk of diseases such as stroke and heart failure, contrary to common beliefs. The study further indicated that standing for over two hours a day could elevate the risk of deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins. Researchers recommended that individuals who sit or stand for extended periods incorporate regular movement into their daily routines.
Dr. Matthew Ahmadi, from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health, stated, “The key takeaway is that standing for too long will not offset an otherwise sedentar
y lifestyle and could be risky for some people in terms of circulatory health.” The research, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, suggests that standing more does not improve long-term cardiovascular health and may increase the risk of circulatory issues.
The researchers analyzed data from 83,013 adults in the UK Biobank, a database containing health and lifestyle records of over 500,000 Britons. They found that standing did not lower the risk of heart conditions such as stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease. Additionally, sitting for more than 12 hours daily was linked to a 15% increase in heart disease risk for each additional hour of sitting.
Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Hub at the University of Sydney, advised, “For people who sit for long periods on a regular basis, including plenty of incidental movement throughout the day and structured exercise may be a better way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.” He recommen
ded regular breaks, walking meetings, and utilizing stairs to improve cardiovascular health.
Emily McGrath, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation who was not involved in the study, commented, “This research emphasizes the importance of getting up and active during the day. Over the long-term, the study showed that standing time was not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease; however, it did have other circulatory health implications for some.” She underscored the importance of staying active to mitigate health risks.