The Claim

Prolonged sitting increases carotid-ankle pulse wave velocity to a greater extent in the supine posture compared to the seated posture, but the observed difference may be attributable to measurement variability rather than a true physiological difference, as baseline carotid-ankle pulse wave velocity is higher during seated measurements.

Source: The Effects of a Simulated Workday of Prolonged Sitting on Seated versus Supine Blood Pressure and Pulse Wave Velocity in Adults with Overweight/Obesity and Elevated Blood Pressure

What the research says

Challenges is higher

Challenge is ahead, but a single strong supporting study can change this.

Supports
0score
Challenges
44score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Description
1 study reviewed
In plain English

When a person sits for a long time, the measurement of arterial stiffness called carotid-ankle pulse wave velocity is higher when lying down than when sitting, but this difference may be due to how the measurement is taken rather than an actual change in artery stiffness.

See the scientific wording

Prolonged sitting increases carotid-ankle pulse wave velocity more in the supine than seated posture, but this difference may reflect measurement variability rather than true physiological change, as seated measurements show higher baseline values.

Why this might work

When a person sits for a long time, blood collects in the legs because gravity pulls it down and the muscles aren't moving to push it back up. This reduces the amount of blood returning to the heart, which lowers the heart's output. The body responds by tightening blood vessels throughout the body to maintain blood pressure, which makes the arteries stiffer and increases the speed at which pressure waves travel through them.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: The Effects of a Simulated Workday of Prolonged Sitting on Seated versus Supine Blood Pressure and Pulse Wave Velocity in Adults with Overweight/Obesity and Elevated Blood Pressure

    The study found that after sitting all day, artery stiffness readings were higher when people were sitting down, not when lying down — the opposite of what the claim says. So the claim is likely wrong.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.