Is it bad for your heart to cross your legs?

Author: Miss Elinore Ruecker DVM  |  Last update: Friday, August 8, 2025

Indeed, sitting this way can cause an increase in your blood pressure due to the pooling of blood in the veins and your heart having to work against this. And this can increase the risk of damage to your blood vessels, which is why when you get your blood pressure taken you should have your feet flat on the floor.

Is crossing your legs bad for your heart?

Sitting with crossed legs or crossed ankles can make it even harder for your blood to keep flowing. These positions can strain your circulatory system and damage your veins. The good news is that crossing your legs or ankles is simply a bad habit and behavior can be changed relatively easily.

Is it bad to lay down with your legs crossed?

Once you cross your legs, you create more pressure that hinders the blood flow and eventually can lead to vein inflammation and damage in the legs. It's damaging for your health both generally and cosmetically. You might be at greater risk for a blood clot, higher blood pressure and varicose (spider) veins.

Why do crossing legs increase cardiac output?

Bernadette said that research has shown that there were two possible explanations as to why crossing our legs may affect blood pressure. “One explanation is that crossing the knees results in more blood being pumped up to the chest, which results in more blood being pumped out of the heart, which raises blood pressure.

Does crossing legs affect blood flow?

For example, crossing the legs at the knees while seated can negatively impact their blood circulation. As a result, the weight of one leg on top of the other might impair proper circulation, leading to swelling at the ankles.

Dangers of Crossing Legs - Dr Mandell

What is the best position for blood flow to legs?

Best Sitting Position: Sit flat on the floor and avoid crossing your legs, which can restrict blood flow. Best Lying Position: Elevate the legs using a pillow, stool, or footrest.

Is crossing your legs bad for blood clots?

When you sit, your legs fight gravity to keep blood flowing as it normally should. But crossing your legs makes it even more challenging for blood to circulate to different areas of the body, causing vein inflammation and potentially putting you at greater risk for a blood clot.

Does crossing legs affect BP reading?

Conclusions: Blood pressure increases when legs are crossed and this increases the estimation of cardiovascular risk for many patients. Care should be taken to ensure that the patients feet are flat on the floor when measuring their blood pressure.

Which position increases cardiac output?

In nonpregnant human beings, some studies have shown the cardiac output to be higher in the supine than in the right or left lateral positions.

What is the best position to lower blood pressure?

Lie down and rest for 10 minutes

This simple act can lower blood pressure within minutes. A study in the Archives of Medical Science showed that blood pressure was lower when participants rested in the supine position for 10 minutes compared to sitting.

Is it better to sleep with legs straight or bent?

According to sleep experts, you should sleep on your side with your knees slightly bent to relieve low back pain. Pro tip: popping a pillow between your legs can make this position even better, while ensuring your neck is well-supported with a firm pillow.

What happens if you cross your legs too much?

Sitting with the legs crossed for a long time increases the likelihood of scoliosis (abnormal alignment of the spine) and other deformities. It can also cause greater trochanteric pain syndrome, a common and painful condition that affects the outer side of the hip and thigh.

Who should not cross their legs?

If you suffer with lower back, hip, or knee pain which you find can be exacerbated by sitting crossed-legged, you should avoid sitting in this position. Sitting crossed-legged will not cause varicose veins. However, the same advice applies here.

What can your legs tell you about your heart?

If your legs feel fine while resting, but then start hurting or cramping when you go for a walk, it could be a sign of congestion or blockage in your arteries. The pain (claudication) is often a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is caused by the buildup of plaque (fats and cholesterol) on artery walls.

Why do nurses tell you to uncross your legs?

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that crossing your legs at the knee level can temporarily increase your blood pressure while they're crossed, which is why the nurse always tells you to uncross your legs before they take your blood pressure at the doctor's office.

What are 3 things that can increase cardiac output?

How to improve cardiac output
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Keep your cholesterol numbers low, except for the good kind of cholesterol (HDL).
  • Follow your treatment plan if you have diabetes.
  • Avoid fried foods and other foods high in fat.
  • Stay at a healthy weight.
  • Don't use tobacco products.

What position improves cardiac output?

Stroke volume contributed to the increase in cardiac output (CO) during the upright movement only. CO increased in both positions; however, the magnitude and duration of the CO response were greater in the upright position.

What is cardiac position?

The cardiac position in the thorax may be described as: levocardia: left-sided heart. dextrocardia: right-sided heart. mesocardia: midline heart.

Does crossing your legs lower your heart rate?

During leg crossing, mean arterial pressure (81 vs. 81 mmHg) and cardiac output (95 vs. 94% supine) remained unchanged; heart rate increase was lower (13 vs. 18 beats/min, P < 0.05); stroke volume was higher (79 vs.

Is sitting criss-cross-legged bad?

Bad Posture

This can cause decreased functional movement which impacts everyday tasks. Cross-legged sitting makes our body so used to this lopsided position and the pelvis slowly rotates and becomes tilted. Over time, this tilted pelvis may result in muscle imbalance over our back, hips and buttocks.

Which arm to take blood pressure?

Which arm to measure blood pressure in. It's a good idea to have your blood pressure measured in both arms at least once, since the reading in one arm (usually the right) may be slightly higher than that in the left.

What is the best drink for blood clots?

Water. Drinking plenty of water can help dissolve blood clots as it helps keep the blood thin and flowing smoothly. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day is recommended to help prevent blood clots from forming.

What is the best sleeping position to prevent blood clots?

Promoting healthy blood circulation during sleep is essential for preventing blood clots, especially for seniors and those with limited mobility. Elevating your legs, sleeping on your left side, or slightly elevating the head are all simple ways to reduce the risk of clots.

What are the five warning signs of a blood clot?

Blood Clot Symptoms
  • Arms and legs: Pain or tenderness, swelling, or warm feeling.
  • Brain: Trouble speaking; vision changes; sudden, strong headache; dizziness; or weakness in face, arms, or legs.
  • Heart: Pain in the chest or other part of the upper body, breathing difficulties, sweating, nausea, or light-headedness.

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