5. Deep Vein Thrombosis

When you sit for prolonged periods of time the veins that are deep inside your leg can become compressed.  This hinders their natural pumping action that is needed to return the blood back to your heart.  If this compression continues, perhaps because you are sitting still for a long period of time, the blood can begin to stagnate and form a clot.  This clot is known as a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

Whilst a DVT itself is very painful and requires hospital treatment, it can potentially become life threatening.  Small bits of the clot can break off and travel through the blood system.  If they lodge in the brain it can result in stroke, if they lodge in the lungs they are called a pulmonary embolus.  Either of these two can kill you.

There have been many cases of people developing DVTs after a long plane journey where they have been unable to get up and move about.  More recently, there have been cases of office workers developing DVTs when they have sat at their desks for hours on end.

Causes

• Sitting for long periods of time
• Long periods of inactivity

Symptoms

• Swelling in the affected leg
• Localised heat in the affected leg
• Pain in the affected leg

Prevention

• Take regular breaks
• Stand up and move around to allow the blood flow in your legs to return to normal
• Use an adjustable chair and ensure that your feet are firmly on the floor
• Sit with a suitable posture – do not cross your legs for long periods