Many people believe that standing more throughout the day can help offset the negative effects of sitting for long periods of time, whether at work, while watching TV, or during long drives.

Standing desks have become a popular choice for office workers, and in industries like retail, employees often prefer standing rather than sitting. However, standing for long periods of time may not be the solution people think.

New research from the University of Sydney shows that standing more may reduce sitting time, but it doesn’t necessarily improve long-term heart health.

In fact, standing for long periods of time can cause circulatory problems like varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.

The study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that sitting for more than 10 hours a day increases the risk of heart disease and circulatory problems, but standing doesn’t help improve heart health as well.

The study collected data from more than 83,000 UK adults over a period of seven to eight years, tracking their cardiovascular health and standing habits with wearable devices.

Dr. Matthew Ahmadi, lead author of the study, said that standing for long periods of time does not reverse the damage caused by a sedentary lifestyle.

“Standing for too long won’t protect your heart and may even pose a threat to circulation. To stay healthy, people need more than just standing,” he said.

Researchers said people just need to keep moving regularly throughout the day.

Dr. Ahmadi and his team suggested that people should focus on incorporating walking into their daily routine instead of standing for long periods of time. This could mean taking a walk break, climbing the stairs, going to a walking meeting, or even getting away from your desk during lunch and walking around.

Study co-author Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis advised people to make small changes to stay active.

“Take regular breaks, take a walk or take the stairs. Even a little movement makes a big difference to heart health,” he said in an official statement.

Earlier research by the same team found that short bursts of exercise – at least six minutes of vigorous activity or 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day – could reduce the risk of heart disease in people who would otherwise not exercise. Remain inactive most of the day.

While the focus of the study wasn’t standing at a desk, the findings suggest that just standing more isn’t enough to improve your health.

To protect your heart and circulation, regular movement and exercise are important.