This common habit could increase your risk of heart disease

Heart disease is the leading killer in the United States, causing about 1 in 4 deaths. The term refers to several heart conditions that can be affected by a variety of things, from the way you exercise to the number of french fries you eat each week. That one habit that we could be guilty of depending on our occupation could also increase your chances of developing heart disease.

According to a 2018 study, much of the day while standing can double the risk of heart disease. We can’t win anybody because too much sitting is also bad for our heart health.

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The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, analyzed over 7,000 people over a 12-year period. These people worked at least 15 hours a week and had no heart disease at the start of the study. The results showed that participants who had standing jobs were twice as likely to report heart disease than those who sat for the duration of their job.

RELATED: How to Protect Your Body from Sitting for Long Hours

While we associate standing up with exercise and other positive things, researchers explained that standing for long periods of time causes blood to build up in the legs. This can create pressure in the veins and increase your risk of heart disease over time.

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Surprisingly, getting up over a longer period of time is comparable to obesity and daily nicotine consumption. “Occupations that primarily involve standing are an important, but often overlooked, cardiovascular risk factor,” the researchers said.

RELATED: Sitting all day might not be that bad for you

We often talk about the health problems associated with long periods of sitting, which is a legitimate concern. It seems that leading a life with as much balance as possible is important for our wellbeing. Ideally, workplaces should accommodate all types of people and encourage behaviors that enable employees to be as healthy as possible.