Do you spend too much time in front of the TV? You are putting yourself in a lethal threat

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) kills approximately 50 people in Poland, and about half a million people in the entire European Union. It is the third most common cardiovascular disease after coronary heart disease and stroke. It is considered very insidious because it often develops asymptomatically or the accompanying symptoms are of a non-specific nature. To diagnose it, specialized tests are sometimes necessary, such as ultrasound of blood vessels or determination of blood coagulation indicators. The development of the disease usually begins with damage to the endothelium of the veins. Red blood cells and thrombocytes begin to build up at the site of the injury. When blood remains in the blood vessels due to low physical activity or prolonged immobility, blood cells and platelets begin to build up and form a clot. If it is not absorbed, it can start to grow and block blood flow. The blood clot most often occurs in the veins of the calves, which is why swollen, sore lower legs are an alarm signal. When the thrombus breaks away from the vessel wall and flows up with the blood, it can clog the pulmonary artery. This scenario leads to the so-called pulmonary embolism, which in some cases has been fatal.

Low physical activity is a serious risk factor in the development of thrombosis. Scientists from the University of Minnesota analyzed the data of over 15. Americans aged 45–64 participating in the ARIC study. This is a cardiovascular health monitoring program started in 1987 that interviews patients and collects information about their health. By 2011, 691 cases of deep vein thrombosis were reported among patients followed under ARIC. An analysis carried out by scientists from UoM showed that the risk of developing the disease correlated with the length of time spent watching the TV. People who spent a long time in front of the silver screen were 1,7 times more likely to develop VTE than those who indulged in this entertainment less frequently and for a shorter period of time. Significantly, the risk of thrombosis among television fans was found to be higher even when the results were adjusted for factors such as obesity and levels of physical activity. In other words, moderate exercise does not fully compensate for the damage caused by spending too much time in a sitting position.

An insufficient dose of exercise is not the only factor that increases the risk of VTE. The likelihood of falling ill increases, among others, with age. People over 60 are most likely to suffer from thrombosis, but you should be on your guard in their forties. The disease develops more often in women. She is favored by the use of hormonal contraception, as well as pregnancy. Prolonged immobility, e.g. when traveling by plane or driving for many hours, can also lead to the development of inflammation in the veins and the appearance of a blood clot – especially when such situations are repeated many times. Therefore, in addition to office workers, the risk group includes, among others, drivers and representatives of other professions requiring long-term sitting in a sitting position. The risk of blood clots is also increased by injuries that cause the limb to become immobilized. Therefore, in cases of fractures, anticoagulant injections are often given. Obesity, heart failure, respiratory failure and bowel disease are also more likely to develop the disease.

Treatment of thrombosis is often a lengthy process. The form of therapy depends on the stage of the disease and the location of the clot. When the thrombus is in the veins of the pelvis, treatment is given in a hospital setting. If clots have formed in the calves, outpatient treatment is usually sufficient, i.e. regular visits to a medical facility combined with tests and compliance with the doctor’s recommendations. The therapy is pharmacological: drugs that inhibit the development of the disease and reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism, or drugs that dissolve the clot are administered. In the case of pelvic vein thrombosis, high doses of heparin are administered intravenously. Then anticoagulants are administered orally, i.e. substances that slow down blood clotting. They are vitamin K antagonists that increase blood clotting. In less severe cases, usually of clots in the leg, drugs that inhibit the development of the clot (as opposed to the ones that dissolve it) are used. The treatment time for thrombosis depends on the individual case and may take up to several months.

Prevention of both thrombosis and other cardiovascular diseases depends primarily on the right lifestyle. The basic issue is regular physical activity and avoiding prolonged sitting. This doesn’t mean you have to give up desk work. It is enough to break away from the monitor once an hour and walk around the office. However, you should also remember about more intense effort during non-working hours. The second important element of prevention is a proper diet. The cardiovascular system is mainly damaged by the excess of simple sugars, salt, trans fats and additional substances contained in food: preservatives, emulsifiers, dyes. Animal fats also do not help – it is better to replace them with virgin vegetable oils. The diet should be lean and rich in vegetables, and to a lesser extent fruit. You do not have to give up meat – it is enough to “skip” cold cuts due to the content of harmful nitrates. However, you should diversify them with fish, as well as legumes, which are a rich source of vegetable protein. Smoking and excess alcohol also contribute to inflammation of the blood vessels – so be moderate with stimulants.