Sometimes we feel proud after hitting a fitness goal—especially when our watch buzzes to say we’ve completed 10,000 steps. With online fitness trends and step challenges everywhere, many people believe this one number guarantees good health. But a vascular surgeon has stepped in to explain why this idea isn’t entirely true and why our bodies need something more meaningful than just a daily step total.
He pointed out that someone can walk all their steps in the evening, but if they’ve stayed glued to their chair from morning till night, the damage may already be done. Sitting for long hours slows down blood flow, puts pressure on the veins, and increases the chances of swelling and even blood clots. According to him, the real issue isn’t how far we walk—it’s how often we move. Taking small breaks during the day, stretching a little, or walking for just two minutes every hour can protect the veins far better than doing one long walk at the end of the day.
In his Instagram post, he explained that completing a large number of steps cannot undo hours of sitting. He mentioned that this is something he often tells his patients because circulation depends on frequent movement, not on a heavy step count. Long hours at a desk can lead to blood pooling, weaker vein valves, swollen legs, varicose veins, and a higher risk of clot formation.
To make it simple, he advised people to get up every 45 to 60 minutes, do a bit of stretching, walk for two minutes, or move their calf muscles. He described the calves as the body’s “peripheral heart” because they help pump blood back up the legs. These tiny breaks, he said, make a huge difference and are far more important than long, intense walks.
After the doctor’s post went viral, one user responded humorously, saying companies like Cognizant, Wipro, and Infosys would not be too happy with advice that encourages frequent breaks from desk work.
