Attention, people who watch TV series or play cards for a long time! This disease may suddenly attack you

Watching TV series, playing cards, and traveling long distances are the leisure packages for many people during the "National Day" holiday. However, few people know that these long-term sedentary leisure activities may cause an extremely dangerous blood clot in the legs - deep vein thrombosis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cardiovascular disease, with one person suffering from it every 16 seconds and one person dying from it every 37 seconds. It has no obvious symptoms, and about one-third of patients die suddenly.

This dangerous blood clot may break off and flow back through the veins to the heart and lungs, causing the fatal disease "pulmonary embolism". Pulmonary embolism ranks third on the "sudden death ranking" of cardiology. When it comes to "lower limb swelling" that is most likely to threaten life directly, this is the first one to bear the brunt.

Pingjiang County First People's Hospital reminds: October 13, 2024 is the eleventh "World Thrombosis Day". It is hoped that the whole nation will increase their awareness of thrombosis and jointly face the silent killer of "venous thromboembolism" (VTE).

1. What are the risk factors for venous thromboembolism?

1. Genetic factors.

2. Acquired factors: mostly temporary and reversible.

For example, surgery, trauma, acute medical diseases, certain chronic diseases, and malignant tumors are all important risk factors for venous thromboembolism.

3. Strong risk factors: such as fractures (hip or thigh), hip or knee replacements, major trauma, spinal cord injury, etc.

4. Moderate risk factors: such as knee arthroscopy, central venous catheter insertion, chemotherapy, congestive heart failure or respiratory failure, hormone replacement therapy, malignant tumors, oral contraceptives, limb mobility problems after stroke, postpartum, previous history of deep vein thrombosis, thrombophilia, etc.

5. Weak risk factors: such as bed rest for more than 3 days, long periods of sitting (such as taking a train or plane), advanced age, laparoscopic surgery (cholecystectomy, etc.), obesity, pregnancy, varicose veins, etc.

2. Be alert to venous thrombosis if you have the following symptoms

1. Sudden onset of lower limb pain, swelling, increased skin temperature, redness of the skin, aggravated by activity, and sometimes dilation or exposure of the superficial calf veins.

2. Severe cases may be accompanied by fever, increased heart rate, or unexplained shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain, and hemoptysis.

3. How to prevent the formation of blood clots?

1. Improve your lifestyle

Quit smoking and drinking, or smoke and drink less. Control blood lipids and body weight, eat a balanced diet, and maintain smooth bowel movements.

Do some exercise and avoid sitting for long periods of time (move for at least 15 minutes every 2 hours).

2. Control blood sugar, blood pressure, etc.

3. Effectively elevate the affected limb

Effectively raise the lower limbs 20°-30° and flex the knee joint 15°.

Try to avoid placing a pillow under the popliteal fossa and excessive hip flexion to avoid affecting the return of the deep veins in the calves.

If it is the upper limbs, you can use a soft pillow or suspension to elevate them.

4. Pay attention to keeping warm. People who stay in bed for a long time should turn over regularly.

5. Functional exercises in bed.

(1) Pulmonary function training: deep breathing, effective coughing, etc.

(2) Limb function training: active ankle pump training, straight leg raise training, quadriceps training, etc.

6. Get out of bed and move around as soon as possible.

7. Increase the amount of water you drink. Drink enough water every day. An important cause of thrombosis is high blood viscosity. Drinking more water can reduce blood viscosity and reduce the risk of thrombosis. A normal person drinks about 2 liters of water to meet the body's blood needs.

Put down your phone and keep exercising! You can also play some games with your family and drink enough water every day, so that blood clots will not bother you naturally. If similar symptoms occur, do not hesitate and go to the hospital immediately. Especially remind the elderly, obese, postoperative, bedridden, combined with tumors, previous history of blood clots, postpartum, taking contraceptives, autoimmune diseases, previous orthopedic, gynecological and other surgical history and other high-risk groups of blood clots to take precautions and seek medical treatment in time.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Yin Meng, Pingjiang County First People's Hospital

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(Edited by ZS)