DVT Blood Clot Risk for Office Workers

View research article and listen to Podcast interview



New Study Reveals Risks of S.I.T. - Seated Immobility Thromboembolism

The new study found that 34 per cent of patients admitted to hospital with blood clots had been seated at work for long periods, its leader, Richard Beasley of New Zealand's privately funded Medical Research Institute, said. Deep-vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a condition in which a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the legs.

The condition can be fatal if part of the clot breaks off and blocks a blood vessel in the lungs. The condition has been linked to long-haul flights and dubbed “economy class syndrome,” because passengers traveling coach often do not have the space or opportunity to stretch enough to reduce the risk of blood clotting. “Being seated for long periods of time ... the risk is certainly there” of blood clots developing in the veins of the legs.

“There are considerably more people who are seated for long periods at work as part of their normal day than there are traveling,” he said, adding the main groups affected are workers in the information technology industry and in call centers. The study covered 62 patients aged under 65 who were admitted to hospital with blood clots. Professor Beasley said a surprise finding of the study was that “people are working for so long.

We had people not uncommonly working up to 12-14 hours a day and being seated for that time”. The 34 per cent finding is far higher than the 1.4 per cent of blood-clot patients who recently traveled on long-haul flights, and the study showed a clear link between travel and work-related thrombosis. “It's the same thing occurring in a similar circumstance as travelers' thrombosis,” he noted.

Some reported being seated on the job for three to four hours at a stretch, “reflecting the very sedentary nature of our work at the moment,” he said. A second study of seated immobility at work had results “very consistent with what we've found” in the first, Professor Beasley said without elaborating.

The study will be published next month in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

Anti-Gravity Support Socks Online Video

Anti-Gravity Support Socks

Reduce the Effects of Gravity, Leg Pain, and Swelling

Detecting Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) CBS News Video

Recently, Vice President Dick Cheney was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot that can occur during air travel. Dr. Emily Senay discusses the dangers and symptoms of DVT with Julie Chen

DVT Awareness Online Video - MSNBC

March 7, 2007:

Melanie Bloom and Dr. Frank Michota talk with TODAY's Ann Curry about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and how people can be aware of the symptoms and risk factors.

Medicine from the Trenches

Suggestions for tired aching legs from a New Surgeon

If you spend as much time on your feet as I do, you get to know what works and what does not work in terms of foot comfort. There is no feeling worse than finding yourself in the middle of a 5-hour case with feet that are crying out for attention. This situation can affect your concentration and generally make an enjoyable situation pretty miserable.

My choice of socks and hosiery also come to play in my choice of foot wear. Support hose are a necessity for both men and women. Ten hours of standing will leave anyone with aching legs unless support hose are worn. My favorite technique is to wear a pair of support hose with thin cotton socks over top of my feet. I always liked having some cotton on my feet to absorb moisture.

A good pedicure is also a necessity for a surgeon. Again, anything that keeps your feet healthy and happy will be quite useful. I keep my toenails well groomed and properly cut both for running and for standing. A poorly trimmed toenail can cause problems during a long case, not to mention, rips in your support hose.
A good pedicure, support hose, cotton sock, a sprinkle of baking soda and my Birkie Bostons keep me ready to go for hours and hours. My feet stay happy and I barely notice them. After a long hard day in the OR, I treat myself to a dip in the whirlp0ol with the jets flowing over my feet and back. You can add a whirlpool tub to those necessities of a surgeon.

Cheney Diagnosed With Blood Clot (DVT)

Cheney Diagnosed With Blood Clot, VP Will Be Treated With Blood Thinners After Experiencing Mild Discomfort In Leg - CBS News:

Vice President Dick Cheney complained of pain in his left leg Monday and doctors discovered he has a blood clot that could be fatal if left untreated. The 66-year-old, who has a history of heart problems, will be treated with blood thinning medication for several months, said spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride.

Dick Cheney, the US Vice-President who has previously suffered four heart attacks, is undergoing medical treatment after developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his left leg during a tour of the Asia-Pacific last week.
The blood-clotting condition - nicknamed 'economy class syndrome' because people who fly in cramped conditions are usually most at risk - was diagnosed in the 66-year-old yesterday.
Despite travelling in comfort in an exclusive compartment on Air Force Two, Mr Cheney is still prone to the condition because of his history of blood clotting and heart attacks.
The Vice-President, whose first attack came when he was just 38 years old, last week travelled 25,000 miles and spent 65 hours in the air during a nine-day trip to Japan, Australia, Pakistan, Oman and Afghanistan.

Watch CBS videos

Vacuum Method Breaks Up DVT Blood Clots

Research Update: Method Breaks Up DVT Blood Clots:

"A new non-surgical treatment for the removal of blood clots appears to be safer, faster and more effective than traditional therapies in reducing the risk for pulmonary embolism and disability among patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)."

Active.com - Travel and lower leg swelling

Active.com - Travel and lower leg swelling:

Experiences of Gale Bernhardt. She was the 2003 USA Triathlon Pan American Games and 2004 USA Triathlon Olympic coach for both the men's and women's teams.

"One of the recommendations that would be made for USA athletes traveling to the Olympic Games would be to consider wearing compression stockings. He said the stockings really work to help eliminate lower leg swelling. After talking to Randy, I decided I would not leave Greece without wearing a pair of compression stockings for the flights back to the USA. "

Great Legs - Health (washingtonian.com)

Great Legs - Health (washingtonian.com):


"Varicose and spider veins under your skin? Here’s how to prevent and treat them."

In Marie Antoinette’s day, women at court traced blue lines on their shoulders and necks to emphasize their noble blood. No woman today wants to direct attention to her veins; grape-colored coils under the skin are seen as a sign of age.

Exercise eases leg swelling

Exercise eases leg swelling:

"There are several simple ways to relieve swollen legs. They include exercise, leg elevation or even support stockings.

The easiest is to move your legs. Movement keeps the circulation pumping and the blood is less likely to stagnate. Walking around, going up and down steps, or just strolling around the office will help move the blood. If you must stand in one place, do some ankle pumps where you flex your ankle down toward the ground and then up toward your knee.

Elevating your legs 6 to 12 inches higher than your heart will also decrease swelling. If this is not possible at work, elevate your legs as soon as you get home. "