In modern life, sitting for 8 to 10 hours a day has become a common habit of office workers. According to Dr. Digvijay Sharma's article published on February 15, the sedentary lifestyle is silently negatively affecting blood vessel function, especially the process of bringing blood from the feet back to the heart.
Peripheral Heart" forgotten
The calves have long been likened to the "second heart" of the body. Each step, each ankle flexion and extension activates the calf pumping mechanism, helping to compress veins and push blood against gravity back to the heart. When we sit for a long time and almost do not move the lower extremities, this mechanism declines, causing blood to stagnate in the legs.
Initial consequences may only be a feeling of heavy legs, swollen ankles, swollen veins, and fatigue after a working day. However, if poor circulation persists, the risk of varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, and even blood clots may increase.
Professor Dr. Digvijay Sharma, a vascular surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, emphasized that many people do not recognize late-day leg pain as an early warning sign of circulatory disorders. He especially noted that office workers and people working online for a long time need to proactively prevent it.
Small movement, great benefit
Not only affecting circulation, sedentary lifestyle also reduces overall muscle activity, inhibits metabolism and reduces vascular elasticity. In the long run, this adds to the burden on the entire cardiovascular system.
According to Professor Mark Whiteley, a venous surgeon at Whiteley Clinic, UK, regular calf muscle activation is a simple but effective measure to prevent venous stagnation. He recommends getting up every 30 to 45 minutes, walking short distances, rotating ankles or performing heel lifts right at work.
Small changes such as using stairs instead of elevators, walking when talking on the phone, or setting exercise reminders can significantly improve blood flow. Experts emphasize that the goal of exercise is not only to improve physical fitness but also to maintain a healthy circulatory system in an increasingly quiet working environment.
