Standing
desks
have
become
a
popular
alternative
for
office
workers
looking
to
break
up
long
hours
of
sitting.
However,
a
study
led
by
the
University
of
Sydney
raises
concerns
about
their
effectiveness
in
improving
heart
health.
The
research,
which
involved
more
than
80,000
adults
in
the
UK,
suggests
that
standing
for
extended
periods
may
not
reduce
the
risk
of
heart
disease
or
stroke
as
previously
thought.
Instead,
it
might
increase
the
chances
of
developing
circulatory
problems
such
as
varicose
veins
and
deep
vein
thrombosis.
The
findings
suggest
that
regular
movement
throughout
the
day
is
essential
for
maintaining
overall
health.
Standing
Desks
and
Heart
Health
The
research
showed
that
being
on
your
feet
for
more
than
two
hours
a
day
did
not
lead
to
improvements
in
heart
health.
In
fact,
for
every
additional
30
minutes
spent
standing
beyond
this
threshold,
the
risk
of
circulatory
diseases
increased
by
11%.
This
challenges
the
assumption
that
simply
standing
for
long
periods
can
combat
the
effects
of
a
sedentary
lifestyle.
Dr
Matthew
Ahmadi
from
the
University
of
Sydney’s
faculty
of
medicine
and
health
stressed
that
neither
sitting
nor
standing
for
extended
periods
is
beneficial.
He
recommended
incorporating
regular
movement,
such
as
walking,
to
minimise
health
risks.
Importance
of
Regular
Movement
Professor
Emmanuel
Stamatakis,
the
director
of
the
Mackenzie
Wearables
Research
Hub
at
the
University
of
Sydney,
advised
that
people
should
focus
on
incorporating
movement
into
their
daily
routine
rather
than
relying
solely
on
standing.
Activities
like
taking
regular
breaks,
walking
during
meetings,
and
using
stairs
can
be
much
more
effective
in
reducing
the
risk
of
cardiovascular
diseases.
The
findings
highlight
the
importance
of
staying
active,
especially
for
individuals
who
sit
for
long
hours.
Expert
Insight
on
Circulatory
Health
Emily
McGrath,
a
senior
cardiac
nurse
at
the
British
Heart
Foundation,
supported
the
research’s
conclusion.
She
emphasised
that
avoiding
prolonged
inactivity,
whether
sitting
or
standing,
is
key
to
reducing
circulatory
health
risks.