While you may associate blood clots with older or sick individuals, the truth is that they can occur in anyone. That’s right, even young adults can suffer from clotting issues. Your blood clot risk increases if you have certain medical conditions, injuries, are obese, smoke, or drink alcohol excessively. Yet, there is another common habit that can significantly raise your chances of getting a blood clot. It is something that many of us do every day for both work and relaxation: sitting down for long periods of time. Whether you sit at your desk working non-stop for hours, or sit on your couch binging a Netflix series, these long stretches without a break could have serious repercussions.
Why Does Blood Clot?
The fact that your blood can clot is actually very useful. If you accidentally cut yourself, for example, your blood will clot at the site of the cut to prevent any further bleeding. However, they can be very problematic when blood clots form inside your blood vessels. These clots can sometimes break off and be transported to other parts of your body, such as your brain, lungs, or heart. There, they can lead to life-threatening issues, such as a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism.
If you sit in the same position for a prolonged period of time, the blood can begin to pool, particularly in the lower legs. The less that the blood is properly circulating in your body, the more likely it is that a blood clot will form. Usually, your muscles will help to push the blood through your veins, but if they aren’t moving, the flow of blood starts to slow down considerably. Your blood clot risk is additionally raised when the blood stays in one place for too long, a condition called venous stasis.
While the symptoms of blood clots are often subtle, there are certain signs that you can look out for. Signs to be concerned about include a sudden swelling in an arm or leg, cramping (especially in the calves), chest pain, shortness of breath, and feeling lightheaded. Other signs to be aware of include a rapid heartbeat, changes in skin color, and coughing up blood. All of these could potentially be signs that you have developed deep vein thrombosis, or a clot that has made its way to your heart or lungs.
How to Lower Your Blood Clot Risk
Thankfully, the majority of blood clots are preventable and can be avoided by making a few lifestyle adjustments. If you work at your desk for hours on end, be sure to get up every hour and take a short walk around. It doesn’t have to be particularly long, though. Even just walking around your office or living room can make a difference. It’s also helpful to occasionally wiggle your toes and flex your feet to assist with circulation. Another important tip is to stay properly hydrated. This will prevent your blood from thickening and keep it more viscous. Your doctor may also recommend that you try wearing compression socks. These socks gently apply pressure to your legs, thus encouraging improved blood flow, especially after surgery or during a long flight.
Obesity can also raise your blood clot risk as extra weight adds pressure on your veins, slowing down circulation. There are also various personal risk factors to consider, such as taking certain medicines, whether you smoke or not, and whether there is a history of blood clots in your family. If you think that you may have a high blood clot risk, speak to your doctor, as there are many ways to detect a blood clot early, non-invasively.
Other Causes of Blood Clots
Sitting down for extended periods is not the only thing that can cause blood clots, though. There are various conditions that increase your blood clot risk, such as heart disease, cancer and chemotherapy, genetic disorders, and autoimmune disorders. Since recovery from injury or surgery also typically requires long periods in bed, these too can increase your chances of experiencing blood clots. Hormonal shifts, such as those that occur during pregnancy or when using birth control, also increase your risk. While it can occur at any age, as we grow older, our veins lose elasticity. Therefore, aging is another risk factor, but one that cannot be avoided.
However, there are certain factors that determine how well we age, and these include living sedentary lifestyles and drinking alcohol. While blood clots can be life-threatening, if you take the right preventative measures, you will dramatically lower your blood clot risk in the long run. Make sure to get up and walk around every hour, do some stretching exercises, and stay hydrated. If you tend to lose track of time, set a few alarms throughout the day as a reminder. By making a few minor lifestyle adjustments now, you can help prevent major health issues in the future.
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