Keep moving to prevent blood clots
We all know that it's important to stay active in order to stay fit and healthy. Now a new study finds that inactivity, especially in women, can lead to dangerous blood clots in the lungs.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal found that women who stayed active had a much lower risk of developing blood clots in the lungs as compared to women who were sedentary.
"The way you get a blood clot is partly because of lack of blood flow, that blood is moving very slowly," said Dr. Marla Schuman. "People can die from blood clots."
This was a big study. Researchers looked at 70,000 women and followed them for 18 years. They measured inactivity by how many hours per week the subjects spent sitting. The high was 41 hours. The most active participants spent just 10 hours or less sitting.
Investigators found the risk of developing blood clots in the lungs was more than double in the women who were inactive. Weight had nothing to do with the risk.
So, get at least a couple of hours of movement a day. If you work at a desk, don't just sit there – get up whenever possible and take a few quick walks around the office.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal found that women who stayed active had a much lower risk of developing blood clots in the lungs as compared to women who were sedentary.
"The way you get a blood clot is partly because of lack of blood flow, that blood is moving very slowly," said Dr. Marla Schuman. "People can die from blood clots."
This was a big study. Researchers looked at 70,000 women and followed them for 18 years. They measured inactivity by how many hours per week the subjects spent sitting. The high was 41 hours. The most active participants spent just 10 hours or less sitting.
Investigators found the risk of developing blood clots in the lungs was more than double in the women who were inactive. Weight had nothing to do with the risk.
So, get at least a couple of hours of movement a day. If you work at a desk, don't just sit there – get up whenever possible and take a few quick walks around the office.
