Scientists from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have found that standing for long periods of time increases the risk of circulatory problems. This is especially dangerous for people with cardiovascular disease. The study results were published in the International Journal of Epidemiology (IJE).
The scientific work used data on heart and circulatory system diseases obtained during an eight-year observation of 83 thousand adults in the UK. At the start of the study, the subjects did not have heart disease.
Researchers sought to find out if there was a link between a certain amount of time spent standing and improved cardiovascular health. Daily standing time for each participant was determined using a wearable device similar to a smartwatch.
The results showed that while more time spent standing did not increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, it could increase the risk of circulatory problems. These include varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis. Also, scientists have not found evidence that prolonged sitting prevents coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure.
“For people who sit for long periods of time, the best way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease is regular exercise and active movement throughout the day,” concluded Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis, one of the study authors and director of the Mackenzie Wearables Research Centre.
