An analysis of data from the UK Biobank showed that time spent standing is not associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, but is associated with a higher risk of orthostatic (gravity-induced) circulatory problems. Furthermore, as reported in the International Journal of Epidemiology, more than ten hours of sitting are associated with a higher risk of both orthostatic circulatory problems and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
Standing or sitting for long periods is characterized as sedentary behavior with low energy expenditure compared to walking. Both these positions have attracted the attention of physicians and scientists as potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. Intervention and cross-sectional studies have shown that reducing sedentary time and increasing standing time can improve cardiovascular health. However, there is a lack of research examining the impact of specific time spent in a given position on cardiovascular health.
A team of researchers led by Matthew Ahmadi from the University of Sydney analysed data from the UK Biobank to examine the putative association of sedentary behaviour and its components (sitting and standing) with major cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure) and orthostatic circulatory diseases – orthostatic hypotension, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulcers.
Scientists used accelerometer data from 83,013 adults (average age 61.3) to estimate their daily time spent sitting and standing. The average time spent standing was 2.1 hours per day, while the average time spent sitting was 10.7 hours per day. Participants spent an average of 71.3 minutes per day walking or running.
Standing for less than 12 hours per day resulted in an overall risk of orthostatic disorders of 2.49 percent, while standing for more than 14 hours resulted in a 5.22 percent risk. However, when standing time exceeded 12 hours per day, the relative risk of orthostatic circulatory disorders increased by an average of 0.22 per hour. However, the researchers found no significant association between standing time and the risk of severe cardiovascular disease.
Each additional hour of sitting above 10 hours per day was associated with a 0.26 increase in the relative risk of orthostatic disorders. Furthermore, each additional hour of sitting increased the relative risk of developing major cardiovascular disease by 0.15.
Scientists conclude that replacing sitting with standing as part of sedentary behavior cannot be considered a safer approach to preventing cardiovascular diseases, particularly orthostatic circulatory disorders.
We previously discussed how knee movements can help alleviate symptoms of dizziness after standing up.
