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I am happy to bring you a guest blog today from Morgan Statt. Morgan is a health & safety investigator who spends her time writing on a variety of topics including public safety, health issues and trending news. When she isn't delving into research, she can be found looking for the next great trail to hike. Follow her on Twitter @morganstatt. 

Enjoy!


It can be tough to prioritize fitness in your daily life; many of us have busy schedules that push exercise to the wayside. If you set a New Year’s resolution focused around regular workouts but have since lost motivation, let the month of March serve as a means to get yourself back on track.

March is DVT Awareness Month, which aims to provide education on Deep-Vein Thrombosis, a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep vein of a person’s body. This type of blood clot also has the possibility to break off and travel to major organs of the body, such as the heart or lungs, which makes it a potentially fatal health condition.

One risk factor that could cause DVT is a sedentary lifestyle, so it’s important to get up and get moving. Learn the ways you can actively lower your risk and the treatment options available if you do develop DVT.

Are You at Risk?

DVT can affect people from all walks of life, but there are certain lifestyle habits and factors that can make you more susceptible to the condition.

  • Age - DVT is more likely to develop in individuals over the age of 60, and older adults are also faced with a greater susceptibility to the potentially fatal complications such as a resulting pulmonary embolism or heart attack.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle - Sitting for long bouts of time, such as while working an office job or being on bed rest after surgery, can put you at risk of DVT. These long periods of inactivity cause blood flow throughout the body to become sluggish and creates a prime environment for clots to form.
  • Smoking - There are already so many health risks associated with smoking, but the habit also constricts your blood vessels and raises your blood pressure, two factors that could spur on DVT.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent DVT

If you or your doctor believe you could be at risk for DVT, there are measures you can take to lower your risk. They include:

Get Moving - A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors for DVT, so it’s important to stay active throughout the day. If you work a desk job and are sitting for long spans of time, try your best to get up every hour and walk around to encourage blood flow throughout the body. The same can be said for extensive travel. Whether you’re on a long flight or are taking a cross-country road trip, getting out of the car or up out of your seat to walk around can significantly lower your risk.

Since age is also a risk factor of DVT, fitness for seniors is especially important. As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to a myriad of health problems. Regular movement can not only lower the risk of DVT, but it can also help promote bone and joint health in older adults among other things.

Take Blood Thinners - Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, are prescribed both as a preventative measure and as a treatment method if you develop DVT. If you’ve recently had knee or hip surgery, for example, they’ll likely be prescribed to lower your risk of blood clots forming after the procedure. Because the purpose of anticoagulants is to thin your blood, the medication comes with a heightened risk of internal bleeding complications. It’s important to determine which blood thinner option is right for you depending on your lifestyle and situation. Popular options include:

  • Coumadin (Warfarin) - This oral medication requires dietary adjustments to avoid foods high in Vitamin K, as this serves as a natural antidote for the blood-thinning properties. It is also dependent on regular blood tests to make sure blood clotting abilities stay within normal range.
  • Xarelto (Rvaroxaban) - This newer anticoagulant was approved in 2011 and does not require dietary changes or blood tests. However, it has no antidote to reverse its blood-thinning effects. Even a minor fall or contact injury could lead to severe internal bleeding complications and even death; thousands of patients have taken legal action against Xarelto’s manufacturer for providing misleading information in regards to the drug’s safety.  
  • Heparin - This blood thinner is given intravenously and acts quicker than oral options to thin the blood. It is likely given alongside an oral anticoagulant until the swallowable medication becomes effective.

Maintain a Healthy Weight - Those who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing blood clots, and excess belly fat makes it more difficult for blood to move easily through the deep veins where these clots form. Weight management through proper diets and regular exercise is a suggested approach to not only live a healthier life but to prevent clotting complications.

 

Deep-Vein Thrombosis is a serious condition that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Be vigilant in your efforts to exercise and maintain a healthy weight, as these habits can dramatically lower your risk. Consult your doctor if you experience prolonged calf cramping that spreads, warmth along the leg, or pain or tenderness in your extremities as these may be symptoms of blood clots. Although prevention is key, early diagnosis is crucial to recovery.

About Fitness for Health:

Are you in need of fitness assistance?  Fitness for Health can help you create a healthy, active lifestyle while having fun and sustain weight management.  We offer customized exercise programs designed to fit your and your children’s exact needs while helping you reach your unique health goals. From first-time gym-goers to NFL professional athletes  looking for athletic training, Fitness for Health has fitness programs to help people of all ages and abilities reach their fullest potential. And, we offer family workouts and Open Gym playtimes so families can become active together. 

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