One in four people worldwide die from conditions caused by thrombosis (blood clot). Thrombosis is a leading global cause of death and disability. Between 60,000 to 100,000 people with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) will die because a clot inside a deep vein in the leg, pelvis, or arm dislodges and enters one of the lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE). Most clots are preventable. Unfortunately, sudden death is the first symptom in about 25% of the individuals who have pulmonary embolism. One-third (about 33%) of people with DVT/PE will have a recurrence within 10 years.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
In fact, each year more people die from deep vein thrombosis than the total number who die from AIDS, breast cancer, and motor vehicle accidents combined. What is DVT? It is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg or in the thigh. A clot is composed of a meshwork of fibrin threads that entrap plasma, red blood cells, and platelets.
Dangers from DVT
A thrombus is blood clot that forms within a vessel and remains stationary. It obstructs and slows down blood flow and prevents the loss of blood. A clot can dislodge from a deep vein in a leg and travel to the lungs! If not treated promptly, it causes death! Of course, we want our blood to clot when we cut a blood vessel. What we do not want is undesirable clotting which occurs when a clot forms at a site where there is no bleeding, resulting in obstructed blood flow.
Signs and Symptoms of DVT
Pain, tenderness, swelling, and discoloration in a leg can be signs and symptoms of DVT. More than 70% of individuals who develop DVT will not experience any symptoms until it is too late and the clot has dislodged! Sometimes these symptoms remain and do not disappear with treatment.
Clots inside Arteries
Clots often form when the fibrous cap of an atherosclerotic plaque cracks in the arteries. This condition reduces blood flow through that specific artery even more. A clot just the size of a sharpened pencil tip can significantly reduce blood flow. Even worse, clots can dislodge and travel to the lungs or rarely to the circulation of the heart. An embolus is a blood clot that travels. Undesirable clotting in one of the coronary arteries blocks the blood flow in an arterial branch that supplies the heart muscle and contributes to more than 80% of heart attacks. Clots are also involved in the majority of strokes.
Who is at Risk for Clots
DVT has come to the public’s attention over the past few years after airline passengers on cramped, long-haul flights developed clots in what some have called “economy-class syndrome.” In fact, French studies show that riding in a car or truck for four to five hours without stopping for an exercise break increases the risk of DVT four times.
An extensive data-base revealed that DVT was twice as high after an acute lung infection. Pulmonary embolism also doubled after an acute urinary tract infection. Men are 50% more likely than women are to develop another blood clot after having the first episode of DVT. The overall frequency of recurrent blood clots in men is 25% after five years. Another authority states that 1/3 of individuals with DVT will have a re-occurrence within ten years.
More Risk Factors
Within the human body, there is a balance of anti-clotting and pro-clotting factors. Major surgery, trauma, systemic infection, atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, certain cancers, inflammatory bowel conditions, prolonged bed rest, physical inactivity and immobility, fractures of the pelvis, hip, or leg, varicose veins, pregnancy, and estrogen-containing pills or patches increase the risk of developing DVT. Unfortunately, the typical Western diet and lifestyle, obesity, and diabetes also encourage undesirable clotting by increasing pro-clotting chemicals, making the platelets abnormally sticky and promoting other pro-clotting conditions within the body. Also, these conditions decrease the natural inhibitors of undesirable clot formation.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK FOR UNHEALTHY CLOTTING
Win While You Lose
To prevent a blood clot, reach and maintain your ideal weight. Obesity increases certain pro-clotting factors in the blood. Researchers at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan, and Wayne State University found that obese patients were 2.5 times more likely to have DVT and 2.2 times more likely to have a pulmonary embolism. Fortunately, appropriate weight loss reduces elevated pro-clotting and pro-inflammatory agents in obese individuals.
Don’t Smoke
Tobacco smoking increases the clumping of platelets, which in turn, increases the risk for undesirable clot formation.
We should mention here that any factor like smoking which increases the risk for atherosclerosis also increases the likelihood of undesirable clot formation. Even a brief encounter with second-hand smoke can make the platelets sticky and more likely to clot especially in susceptible people.
Adopt a Healthful, Plant-Based Diet
Meat and saturated fats increase the risk of clotting by decreasing prostacyclin, a prostaglandin that inhibits platelet clumping and increases clot-encouraging compounds. As platelets become stickier, the risk of developing undesirable clotting significantly increases. Regularly eating meat fuels inflammation. Inflammation plays an integral role in most clot formation. In contrast, frequent consumption of foods that contain phytochemicals that inhibit platelet clumping like garlic, ginger, onions, tomatoes, red grapes, berries, citrus, kiwi, pomegranates, olives, and flaxseed help to reduce the risk of undesirable clotting.
Be Sure Your B-12 Is in Normal Range
While it is true that several studies show that a vegetarian diet lowers the risk for cardiovascular disease and may even reverse coronary artery disease, a vegetarian diet without adequate amounts of vitamin B-12 increases the risk for developing an undesirable clot. Vegans, vegetarians, and the elderly are at risk for vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Check Your Homocysteine Level
Homocysteine is an amino acid produced by the body. It is usually a byproduct of meat consumption. Elevated homocysteine injures the cells that line the arteries and stimulates the unhealthy growth of arterial smooth muscle cells. Both processes contribute to atherosclerosis. It also increases the risk of undesirable clotting. When elevated, homocysteine enhances the risk of unwanted clotting and blood vessel constriction. Low intake of both vitamin B12 and folic acid increases the risk of elevated homocysteine levels. Vegetarians should have their B12 levels checked every six months if they do not take a vitamin B12 supplement. Kidney disease and low thyroid levels increase your risk of elevated homocysteine.
Engage in Moderate Exercise
Regular moderate exercise is one of the most important methods for preventing a blood clot. Sluggish circulation is a major risk factor in developing clots. Moderate exercise increases fibrinolysin which dissolves tiny clots, improves blood flow, and decreases fibrinogen, a plasma protein involved in clot formation. Perform foot exercises while riding in a plane or car. Take exercise breaks during long trips.
Caveats: Extremely competitive and long endurance exercises actually increase the risk of clot formation because they increase the hormone epinephrine. Epinephrine makes platelets sticky and consequently increases the risk of clotting. Although you might have one period for longer exercise, it is essential to get up and walk for at least five minutes every two hours if you are primarily sedentary. Why? Prolonged sitting substantially reduces the blood flow to the legs and increases your risk for the undesirable clot formation.
Stay Hydrated
Drink water. Adequate hydration and deep breathing also improve blood flow. These two preventive measures are especially important for those with limited mobility. Skip the energy drinks high in caffeine as they can increase the risk for clots.
Enjoy Healthful Herbs
Turmeric, ginger, and ginkgo biloba inhibit platelet clumping as well. Thyme and rosemary have significant anti-thrombotic factors. However, people who use blood thinners, have low platelet counts, or have bleeding problems should consult their physician before using medicinal amounts of these herbs. Pregnant women should not consume any herb medicinally without prior approval from a knowledgeable, qualified health-care professional. Blood-thinning herbs, if used medicinally, should usually be discontinued two weeks before any surgery or dental work.
Maintain a Cheerful Outlook
Acute stress and mental depression can increase the risk of forming an undesirable clot. Major depression, for example, increases platelet aggregation and the risk for cardiovascular events.
Keep Your Blood Sugar within Normal Range
Nearly 80% of individuals who have diabetes will eventually die of clot-related causes. Emphasize low-glycemic foods that may reduce the risk for undesirable clot formation.
Know Your Heart Health
Certain irregular heart rhythms (i.e.. atrial fibrillation, first-degree heart block, etc.) or heart attack increases one’s risk for undesirable clotting. Heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump enough blood to keep up with the demands of the body. Consequently, the blood flows more slowly. When this happens, the risk for clot formation increases. Hypertension may also increase the risk for deep vein thrombosis.
Conclusions
Some medical epidemiologists state that between one and two million Americans develop DVT annually. One expert predicts that one to three individuals out of a thousand in the United Kingdom will get DVT. What are your chances of developing DVT? It greatly depends on your lifestyle. The good news is that most clots are preventable. If they are caught early, often are treatable.
Clots can be deadly. If you suspect a DVT, see your doctor immediately. Shortness of breath accompanied by sharp chest pain or anxiety indicate a life or death situation. Possible other signs of pulmonary embolism include light-headedness, blood-stained sputum, or a bluish tint in the skin. Medical treatment consists of anticoagulant medication and thrombolytic therapy designed to break up or dissolve the clot. Time is of the essence here. A clot in the lungs can kill a person within minutes.
Better yet, see your health care provider if you are at risk for DVT!
Provided by Wildwood Lifestyle Center, 2020.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is educational and general in nature. Neither Wildwood Lifestyle Center, its entities, nor author intend this article as a substitute for medical diagnosis, counsel, or treatment by a qualified health professional.
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