Guest blog post by George J. Todd, MD, Chair of the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West
Question: A young co-worker of mine (age 28) developed difficulty breathing and pain in his chest. He went to the emergency department and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolus, a blockage of an artery of his lung, that likely started due to a blood clot in his leg. The doctors told him it was from sitting at his computer for many hours. Is this possible?
Answer: Yes. Prolonged sitting without getting up to move around can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the formation of a blood clot in a vein deep in the body. DVT typically affects large veins in the thigh and leg but can present in other parts of the body. Once a clot forms in a vein, it can travel to the heart and lungs–forming a pulmonary embolus (PE)–which can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and even death.
Many people are now aware that DVT can result from prolonged sitting on an airplane (sometimes called “Coach Class Syndrome”) or from being immobile in bed (after surgery, for example). Most people are also aware that obesity, taking oral contraceptives, and some hereditary disorders (such a Factor V Leiden mutation, for example) can predispose a person to DVT and PE.
It may be a surprise to some however, to learn that DVT and PE have also been described in people who have sat for many hours working at a computer. There was even a story reported in several news outlets about a 20-year-old British man who reportedly died of a PE after sitting and playing on his Xbox for many hours without taking a break.
Prolonged sitting can lead to the formation of blood clots in the legs. Once clots form, they can travel to the lungs and cause PE. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 900,000 people may be affected by DVT/PE each year, resulting in between 60,000 to 100,000 deaths. Other studies estimate a much higher figure for both DVT and PE.
The bottom line: It is very important when flying or sitting at a desk, to get up and walk around at least every 60 to 90 minutes. It is also important to wear loose fitting clothing if you will be seated for prolonged periods and to maintain good hydration by drinking water.