Men who are both obese and tall face a much higher risk for developing potentially fatal blood clots, though overall the risk remains quite small.
Men who are both obese and tall face a much higher risk for developing potentially fatal blood clots, though overall the risk remains quite small. Extra weight and extra inches together seem to raise the risk more than either alone.
The clots, known as deep vein thrombosis, are best known to affect passengers on long plane flights who don't have much chance to move around. Immobilisation of the legs can contribute to the condition. Other causes include injury and a genetic condition that makes people's blood more likely to clot. And there are some people who seem to get clots when they don't have any clear, obvious risk factors.
Though the clots start in the leg, they can move to the lung, where they may cause a deadly pulmonary embolism. Venous thromboembolism is the term used to describe the two conditions - deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism - together.
Researchers collected data on 26,714 Norwegians from 1994 to 2007, including 461 reports of venous thromboembolism. It was found that obese and tall men - those at least six feet tall - had more than five times the risk for a clot, compared with normal-weight men shorter than 5 feet 7 inches, warning such men to avoid sitting in one place for too long. The risk was three times higher for women who were obese and at least 5 feet 6 inches than for normal-weight women shorter than 5 feet 3 inches.
The higher risk for tall people appears to be related to their circulatory system. The distance for blood to return to the heart and lungs is longer. Since the blood must be pumped upwards against the force of gravity by the calf-muscle pump, the longer distance may cause reduced flow in the legs and, thereby, higher risk of clotting, according to the researchers. Obesity causes pressure in the abdomen that may hinder the ability of the calf-muscle pump to send blood back up into the body.
The study found, however, that the risk for developing blood clots remained low, even for the tall and obese. Apart from weight loss, the best thing to do is to avoid situations where they don't move for long periods of time.
Even in the cramped space of a plane, one should try to move legs, shift legs, going up and down on the toes and flexing feet back and forth to keep the calf muscles stimulated. It is also a good idea to keep hydrated.
The clots, known as deep vein thrombosis, are best known to affect passengers on long plane flights who don't have much chance to move around. Immobilisation of the legs can contribute to the condition. Other causes include injury and a genetic condition that makes people's blood more likely to clot. And there are some people who seem to get clots when they don't have any clear, obvious risk factors.
Though the clots start in the leg, they can move to the lung, where they may cause a deadly pulmonary embolism. Venous thromboembolism is the term used to describe the two conditions - deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism - together.
Researchers collected data on 26,714 Norwegians from 1994 to 2007, including 461 reports of venous thromboembolism. It was found that obese and tall men - those at least six feet tall - had more than five times the risk for a clot, compared with normal-weight men shorter than 5 feet 7 inches, warning such men to avoid sitting in one place for too long. The risk was three times higher for women who were obese and at least 5 feet 6 inches than for normal-weight women shorter than 5 feet 3 inches.
The higher risk for tall people appears to be related to their circulatory system. The distance for blood to return to the heart and lungs is longer. Since the blood must be pumped upwards against the force of gravity by the calf-muscle pump, the longer distance may cause reduced flow in the legs and, thereby, higher risk of clotting, according to the researchers. Obesity causes pressure in the abdomen that may hinder the ability of the calf-muscle pump to send blood back up into the body.
The study found, however, that the risk for developing blood clots remained low, even for the tall and obese. Apart from weight loss, the best thing to do is to avoid situations where they don't move for long periods of time.
Even in the cramped space of a plane, one should try to move legs, shift legs, going up and down on the toes and flexing feet back and forth to keep the calf muscles stimulated. It is also a good idea to keep hydrated.
COMMENT
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
