Prolonged Sitting Increases Risk Of Blood Clots In Lungs Of Inactive Women

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Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 06 Jul 2011 - 0:00 PST


According to a latest study published on bmj.com, women who sit for extended periods everyday are twice or even three times as likely to develop a life-threatening blood clot in their lungs as compared with active women.

As established by this one-of-a-kind new study, people with a sedentary lifestyle are at a higher risk of developing pulmonary embolism, which is a common cause of heart disease.

An editorial accompanying the study states that the risk is as small as seven extra cases per 10,000 person years, and slightly higher than the risk faced by users of oral contraceptives or long haul airplane travel; nonetheless, the consequences of the findings on general health and well being could be dramatic.

The blood clot, in part or as a whole, travels through the bloodstream from the deep veins in the legs into the lungs, and this marks the development of pulmonary embolism. The patient may exhibit various symptoms, including difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and coughing.

There is no substantial data to determine the association of pulmonary embolism with physical inactivity, although studies have explored the relationship between this condition and pulmonary embolism.

Dr Christopher Kabrhel and his colleagues gathered detailed information regarding lifestyle habits of 69,950 female nurses in an 18-year long study by means of completing biennial questionnaires.

As compared with women who spend the least amount of time sitting (less than 10 hours a week outside of work), the ones who spent most time sitting (more than 41 hours a week outside of work) were found to be more than twice as likely to develop pulmonary embolism.

As evidenced by the study that physical inactivity is a major cause of pulmonary embolism, conclusive results were drawn after taking into account additional factors, such as age, body mass index, and smoking.

The study hypothesized the probable association between arterial and venous disease by demonstrating the correlation between physical inactivity, heart disease, and hypertension as one of the hidden mechanisms responsible for the link.

The study concludes that the incidence of pulmonary embolism is associated with physical inactivity in women. The authors further recommend that public health campaigns that encourage physical activity among the general population could reduce the incidence of pulmonary embolism.

In an editorial published alongside the study, Canadian researchers note that the study "reinforces the notion that prolonged inactivity increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, and it shows how this occurs in everyday life." The authors conclude that the use of preventive interventions in risk populations with prolonged immobility is circuitously supported by the findings of the study.

"Physical inactivity and idiopathic pulmonary embolism in women: prospective study"
Christopher Kabrhel, Raphaëlle Varraso, Samuel Z Goldhaber, Eric Rimm, Carlos A Camargo Jr
BMJ 2011; 343:d3867 doi: 10.1136/bmj.d3867

Written by Anne Hudsmith
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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