Therapist Sapego: long sitting in front of the TV can lead to blood clots
Photo: Molly Darlington / Reuters
Prolonged exposure to television can lead to thrombosis. RIA Novosti writes about this with reference to the general practitioner Georgy Sapego.
According to him, stagnation of blood in the vessels can occur from prolonged sitting without moving in one position.
“Sometimes blood clots form in the veins of the legs. These are blood clots that usually appear from blood stasis. If the outflow of blood from the veins is disturbed, then clots form more easily in such stagnant blood. Sometimes abnormally increased blood clotting contributes to this, ”the doctor explained.
If a blood clot enters the pulmonary artery, a life-threatening condition may occur. According to Sapego, it is enough to spend two hours watching programs to raise the threat of pulmonary embolism.
Among the symptoms for which an ambulance should be called immediately, the therapist named redness or swelling of the leg, pain in it, as well as unexplained shortness of breath or chest pain.
“If such a blood clot clogs the pulmonary artery or its large branch, then the blood will stop and will not be saturated with oxygen. There will be a feeling of lack of air, the chest may get sick, and blood pressure will drop sharply. If the thromboembolism is massive, then the affected person dies,” Sapego warned.
To aggravate the situation, according to the doctor, sitting with legs tucked or crossed, as well as oppressive and inelastic clothing, can aggravate the situation.
Movement can prevent blood stasis. The doctor advises getting up every hour for five to ten minutes, walking, bending and unbending the feet, lifting on toes and warming up.
Earlier, surgeon and cardiologist Vladimir Khoroshev named an unexpected reason for the formation of blood clots. According to him, the risk of thrombosis increases excessive warming in cold weather – the greenhouse effect, which increases the susceptibility to the disease, is to blame.
