A new study states: the dangerous trend may cause problems with blood vessels

In recent years, adjustable standing desks have become a sought-after product in offices and homes around the world. These electric tables, which allow an easy transition from sitting to standing, are seen as a solution to the health problems caused by prolonged sitting in front of a computer. Manufacturers promise many benefits, such as improved heart health and reduced risk of metabolic diseases, but a new study recently published in the International Journal of Epidemiology presents a more complex picture.

The study, carried out by researchers from leading institutions, examined the relationships between sitting, standing and stationary time and the morbidity in cardiovascular diseases and circulatory orthostatic diseases. While previous studies have suggested that standing may improve metabolic indices and help prevent disease, the data in the current study raise doubts about the effectiveness of prolonged standing.

Circulatory orthostatic diseases include medical conditions resulting from problems with blood flow in the veins, especially during changes in position. These diseases include orthostatic hypotension – a sudden drop in blood pressure when going from sitting to standing, varicose veins in the legs, chronic venous insufficiency that prevents normal blood flow back to the heart, as well as venous ulcers – chronic wounds caused by these problems.

The researchers looked at data from 83,013 participants in the UK with an average age of 61 years. The participants wore accelerometers – posture sensors, which provided accurate information about the amount of time they spend sitting and standing each day. The cardiovascular diseases examined included coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Orthostatic diseases included blood pressure changes, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulcers.

After about seven years of follow-up, the researchers identified 6,829 cases of cardiovascular disease and 2,042 cases of orthostatic disease. The statistical analysis revealed that prolonged sitting time is clearly associated with an increased risk for both groups of diseases. For example, participants who sat for more than 10 hours a day had a 26 percent increased risk of orthostatic disease for every additional hour beyond that threshold. Cardiovascular diseases also showed an increase in risk of about 15 percent for every additional hour over 10 hours of sitting.

On the other hand, standing for more than two hours a day did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but actually increased the risk of orthostatic diseases. The researchers found that for every additional half hour of standing above this threshold, there was an 11 percent increase in the risk of these diseases.

The main conclusion of the researchers is that prolonged standing does not improve heart health and is not a substitute for prolonged sitting. Furthermore, it may even increase the risk of orthostatic diseases. The researchers emphasize that stationary time, whether sitting or standing, is the main problem that needs to be addressed.

The researchers recommend incorporating daily movement instead of just standing. Short walks, stretching exercises and breaking the routine of sedentary time throughout the day may reduce health risks. The study’s conclusions raise doubts about the trend of adjustable desks, which offer a seemingly simple solution to a much more complex problem. The key to better health is not only to sit less, but to move more.