Desk Leg Crossing Nudges Blood Pressure Higher, Study Finds
A peer‑reviewed study finds that crossing your legs at a desk can compress the artery behind the knee and cause a small but repeatable rise in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure within minutes, an effect that persists as long as the position is held and may accumulate with habitual crossing. For heart‑healthy posture, favor neutral seating, move every 30–45 minutes, and use proper techniques when measuring blood pressure to avoid posture‑related artifacts.