Sitting comfortably on your sofa and crossing your legs is a relatively commonplace reflex. However, this posture could have a major impact on your blood circulation and blood pressure.
Why crossing your legs is not a good idea
Crossing your legs is almost instinctive for some people. We adopt this posture without even thinking about it, while watching television or chatting. However, this reflex is not without consequences for the body. By holding one leg on top of the other for several minutes, certain blood vessels become slightly compressed – thereby modifying blood circulation.
“Crossing your legs can actually increase blood pressure temporarily, especially if the position is held for a long time. The effect is generally modest and temporary, but it can bother a person who is already hypertensive,” recognizes Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical.
When the legs are crossed, the heart must make a greater effort to circulate the blood correctly. This is why doctors ask you to keep your feet flat on the ground when taking blood pressure.
Should we therefore avoid this position to preserve our arteries?
Yes, abandoning this reflex seems preferable. Because if this habit is maintained for too long (and repeated over time), it can increase the risk of adverse effects.
“Remaining in this position for a long time can disrupt venous return, compress the vessels of the legs and promote the feeling of heavy legs. In some people, this can also artificially increase blood pressure at the time of a measurement,”
warns the doctor.
Another point to watch out for: venous risk. When the legs are crossed for a long time, blood circulation can be slowed and cause tingling or swelling. In people who move little, who have varicose veins or circulation problems, staying in this position for too long can also encourage the formation of a blood clot.
Even if this risk remains rare, Dr. Gérald Kierzek therefore advises changing position regularly and not sitting without moving for several hours.
Which position should ultimately be favored?
Good news: it is not necessary to permanently ban this posture. The main thing is to avoid staying still for too long in the same position:
“The best position is to sit with both feet flat on the ground, your back supported, knees and hips at a comfortable angle, without maintaining the same posture for too long. The most important thing is to change position regularly and get up from time to time,” says Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
Taking a few steps every hour or stretching your legs also helps restart blood circulation. Simple but useful gestures, especially when you work seated all day!