Standing All Day at Work May Be Bad for Blood Pressure

Is Standing Really Bad For Your Blood Pressure?

A new study has found that standing for long periods of time at work may actually be bad for your blood pressure. This contradicts the popular opinion that standing desks are the solution to a sedentary lifestyle.

Researchers from the Finnish Retirement and Aging study analyzed data from 156 workers with a median age of 62.4. They found that people who were more sedentary at work had lower diastolic blood pressure at night. Meanwhile, those who stood for longer periods of time at work had higher diastolic blood pressure during the day and fewer dips in their blood pressure.

According to Jooa Norha, lead study author and a doctoral researcher at the University of Turku in Finland, standing can cause changes in the body that may impact blood pressure. "Due to the effect of gravity, blood starts to pool in the legs and feet, which leaves less blood to the upper body," Norha explained. "Blood vessels contract in response, and the heart pumps harder to maintain blood flow in the upper body. These mechanisms increase blood pressure."

But is standing really bad for your blood pressure? Maybe not. According to Norha, "standing isn’t bad, per se, but being upright for long periods of time can cause changes in the body that may impact blood pressure." He suggests finding a middle ground of sitting, standing, and moving during your workday.

The findings don’t mean you should avoid standing at work, said Italo Biaggioni, director of the Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center. "Standing is good for you, but too much of a good thing might not be good for you," he told Verywell. "The answer is not to sit down all day."

How Much Should You Sit and Stand at Work?

According to Chokshi, "build in standing, walking, or even more rigorous exercises in your workday, especially if you have a job with prolonged sitting, as this benefits your overall heart risk." He suggests finding a middle ground of sitting, standing, and moving during your workday.

Conclusion

The findings of the study suggest that standing for long periods of time at work may not be good for your blood pressure, but it’s not entirely bad either. Finding a middle ground of sitting, standing, and moving during your workday is best for your overall heart health.

FAQs

Q: Is standing desk really bad for your health?
A: Not necessarily. Standing for long periods of time can cause changes in the body that may impact blood pressure.

Q: How much should I sit and stand at work?
A: Find a middle ground of sitting, standing, and moving during your workday.

Q: Is it good for my heart health?
A: Yes, building in standing, walking, or even more rigorous exercises in your workday can benefit your overall heart risk.