Are Standing Desks Good or Bad for Your Veins?

Have you thought about getting a standing desk for your home office? Did all your co-workers have them before? These days, so many people are opting to switch out traditional work stations for standing desks. (BTW, these are desks that can be raised or lowered. They give you the option of standing or sitting throughout the day.)

Now, these standing desks became popular for a reason. After all, even in the age of Ozempic, so many people in this country struggle with their weight. And that's partly because of lack of activity.

That's why many people thought standing desks were great—they could solve the problem of all-day sitting. But, unfortunately, standing desks can bring about a whole new set of problems. Because, as it turns out, standing desks are linked to increases in foot and back pain. They can also increase your risk of developing varicose veins. Furthermore, new evidence suggests that they don’t even reduce your risk for To better understand the risks of a standing desk, let’s explore the pros and cons of each desk option. And gain a better understanding of why you may still want to buy one, regardless of the latest scientific finding.

Why Sitting All Day is Dangerous

Have you heard that sitting is the new smoking? That’s right, some health experts say that it’s worse for your health to sit all day than to smoke a pack of cigarettes. Extended periods of sitting have been linked to an increased risk of both heart and kidney disease. Not surprisingly, sitting can also increase the odds of gaining weight. And, as we already know, being overweight contributes to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Some researchers even suggest that increasing your exercise level won’t completely combat the effects of entire days spent sitting. That's why people started falling for standing desks.

Dangers of Standing All Day

Here's some unwanted news. Even if you a standing desk, your health woes may not be over. A recent study in the Journal of Epidemiology followed 83,000 adults in the UK, monitoring the amount of time they spent sitting and standing. And what did they discover? Well, standing more did not decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease. In fact, those who spent more than 10 hours per day standing were at increased risk for CVD and for circulatory conditions such as POTS and orthostatic hypotension that lead to dizziness when standing.

Moreover, using standing desks can cause back and foot pain. And that's not all. Extended periods of standing can leave you feeling tired and less able to concentrate. Plus, getting to the point of this blog, standing desks increase your risk of varicose veins.

Standing Leads to Spider Veins

The veins in your lower legs have to fight gravity to get your blood to flow upward to your heart. As you age, or when you put too much pressure on those veins, they can weaken or sustain damage. That already makes it harder for blood to get moving.

As a result, blood pools in your veins and the vessels swell. This is when you usually notice spider veins.  Your varicose vein risk increases when it becomes harder for your blood to flow to your heart. Weight gain, tight clothes and—you guessed it—long periods on your feet—make it harder for blood to flow. That’s why standing desks, and jobs like construction work or nursing that keep you on your feet, increase your risk for vein disease.

Should you Choose a Standing Desk?

Since neither sitting or standing all day is ideal, a standing desk is still a great choice. Because it moves up and down, you can alternate between periods of sitting and time spent standing. But how often should you switch positions?

Unfortunately, not everyone agrees on this front. Experts recommend changing positions anywhere between every 20, 30 or 60 minutes. And some get more specific about standing desks. They say you should not stand up to work for more than 10 minutes out of every hour. You can also invest in an anti-fatigue mat to use when you're standing at your desk. This can help take some pressure off your lower legs and feet.

If you follow these guidelines, you can minimize your risk of standing or sitting too much. It’s also a great idea to step away from your desk for quick walking breaks throughout the day. Even small bursts of movement can help keep your blood flowing as it should. Consider investing in a walking pad for the office, using it a few times throughout the day, for 30 minute intervals on a low speed, to encourage venous outflow.

When you're not at work, make sure to exercise regularly. Workouts like walking or yoga can boost your blood flow, encouraging better circulation. At home and on the job, choose your clothes carefully. Avoid outfits that are tight at the waist or legs, like Spanx.

If you're carrying extra weight, losing a few pounds may help boost your circulation. If you're a smoker, now's the time to quit. Finally, if your standing desk is triggering your spider veins, consider wearing compression socks. And at the end of the day, be sure to elevate your feet for at least 15 minutes, to help get blood flowing out of your legs.

Making the switch to a standing desk can be life changing—as long as you know the risks and take the appropriate precautions. Still with proper care, you can almost certainly enjoy this innovative office feature without impacting your vein health. And if you have concerns about sitting, standing and your vein health, we encourage you to contact the office to request a consultation. We'll let you know if that standing desk is a good idea or not!