Nowadays, there has been a lot of change in the lifestyle of people. Due to increasing work pressure, people today sit at their desks in the office for 8 to 9 hours continuously. If you are also one of such people, then now is the time to be careful. According to experts, the habit of sitting at one place for hours is increasing the risk of a disease called ‘Deep Vein Thrombosis’ (DVT) in youth. In this context, we spoke to Dr. Sujit Narayanan, Associate Director, Interventional Cardiology at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Noida, so that we can understand in simple and easy language what this ‘sitting disease’ is and how it affects your legs.
What is DVT, and why is it dangerous?
DVT is a medical condition in which blood clots form in the deep veins of the body—most commonly in the veins of the legs. This condition becomes dangerous when these blood clots move from their original place and reach straight to the lungs. In medical language it is called ‘pulmonary embolism’, and this condition can also prove fatal.
This is a matter of concern because, earlier, this condition was mainly seen in the elderly or in patients who remained bedridden for a long time after surgery. However, the condition is now increasingly affecting younger people—especially those under the age of 40 who have desk jobs and are otherwise physically fit—with prevalence rates in this age group ranging from 10% to 25%.
What effect does sitting for a long time have on blood?
Sitting continuously for a long time has a deep impact on the blood. Blood clots usually form for three main reasons:
**Numbness in legs:** Sitting for hours without moving makes the muscles of the legs become inactive, due to which blood starts accumulating in the legs.
**Pressure on the veins:** Keeping the body in one position for a long time puts bad pressure on the inner walls of the veins. **Thickening of blood:** Work pressure, not drinking enough water and unhealthy lifestyle can cause blood to thicken, which increases the chances of blood clots.
How can you keep yourself safe? Doctors have suggested some very simple lifestyle changes to help avoid this life-threatening condition:
Take frequent work breaks every 60 minutes; Get up from your seat and take a short walk for about 5 minutes.
Blood becomes thick due to dehydration. Keep a water bottle on your desk and drink small amounts of water throughout the day.
Many people have the habit of sitting with one leg over the other. Avoid doing this, because it stops blood circulation.