A recent Finnish study has revealed that standing for long periods at work can negatively affect blood pressure.
Researchers found that prolonged standing during the day was linked to higher 24-hour blood pressure levels.
On the other hand, sitting more often at work seemed to improve blood pressure. This research suggests that what you do during work hours might have a bigger impact on your blood pressure than your recreational physical activities.
Exercise remains an important part of keeping blood pressure in check.
Vigorous aerobic workouts are particularly effective, but even everyday physical activity can help.
However, earlier studies have shown that physical activity during leisure time is better for heart health than work-related activity, which might sometimes harm cardiovascular health.
Why 24-hour blood pressure matters
The study, conducted by the University of Turku as part of the Finnish Retirement and Aging (FIREA) study, measured the activity levels of municipal employees nearing retirement.
Participants wore devices on their thighs to track activity during work, leisure, and days off. They also used portable monitors that recorded their blood pressure every 30 minutes for a full day.
According to Doctoral Researcher Jooa Norha, 24-hour blood pressure provides a clearer picture of how much stress your heart and blood vessels endure. When blood pressure stays slightly elevated throughout the day and doesn’t drop enough at night, it can lead to stiffer blood vessels and a harder-working heart. Over time, this increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Finding a balance at work
The study confirms that physical activity at work, especially prolonged standing, can strain your heart and circulation. Standing for too long raises blood pressure because the body must pump harder to maintain blood flow to the legs.
“Standing desks can be a nice break from sitting, but too much standing can harm your health. It’s better to take breaks by walking or alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day,” Norha suggests.
Exercise beyond the workplace
The researchers emphasize that while sitting more at work isn’t necessarily bad for blood pressure, regular physical activity during leisure time is still essential.
“Staying active outside of work is crucial for managing overall fitness and making work-related strain easier to handle,” says Norha. Whether you have a desk job or a physically demanding one, balancing workday habits with recreational exercise is key to maintaining good health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
