A regular medical expert on BBC Morning Live, Dr Xand van Tulleken, has issued a stark warning for the winter months – keep moving. The doctor’s advice comes in light of the risk of developing a potentially “dangerous” condition if not careful. If left untreated, this condition could lead to severe breathing difficulties. According to the NHS, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot usually found in a vein in the leg.
“DVT can be dangerous”, they caution, urging individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they suspect they have DVT. In an attempt to educate viewers about the condition, Dr van Tulleken presented a photo of veins [below], explaining: “The blue tube in the picture is a vein and you can see the red blood cells rushing along there and they’re going through valves. Those valves close as you can see in the right-hand picture and they stop the blood flowing back to your feet so your feet don’t get too swollen.”
“When you get a clot forming – and you can see in the far right diagram, there’s a clot forming – it just disrupts the valve and means the blood flow gets very disorganised. Crucially, that clot can break off and form an embolus. This can travel up the vein and into your lungs and cause what’s called a pulmonary embolism – and that can make it difficult to breathe.”
However, the doctor highlighted some reasons why medical professionals are concerned about DVT. “The reason we [doctors] worry so much about DVT is partly because they cause problems in your legs and can cause long-term issues there, but also because that clot can break off travel into your lungs and make problems for you breathing.”
Can the cold weather put me more at risk of DVT?
When asked by presenter Helen Skelton if cold weather could increase the risk of DVT, the health expert confirmed it could. “The cold weather does lots of things to us. So first of all it changes the way the blood flows around our body. It means that blood flows more sluggishly, it thickens our blood, it changes our behaviour and it drives out the air in our house so we’re a bit more dehydrated”, he explains.
Adding: “At this time of year, you may be drinking a bit more, eating slightly less healthy, perhaps you’re smoking more – all those things can increase your risk so when we think about DVT perhaps the most common stories you think about is just being sedentary and the blood pools in your leg and clots and that’s where the problem begins. But actually, we know even after a long plane flight, your risk of DVT continues for weeks after our flight. So it’s not just a sitting still, it’s your whole bodies inflammation response to injury and your general health that also affects your risk.”
What are the symptoms of DVT?
If you suspect you might have Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), experts advise comparing your legs. If one appears larger or discoloured, it’s crucial to contact your GP as this could be a sign of DVT. The importance of staying active is also emphasised, with movement described as “massively important”. There are certain symptoms to be aware of, and the NHS states that DVT can sometimes occur without any clear reason. This includes:
- Throbbing pain
- Swelling
- Warm skin
- Red or darkened skin
- Swollen veins
Who is at risk of DVT?
The NHS warn you’re more likely to get DVT if you:
- smoke
- have had DVT before
- are over 60
- are overweight
- take the contraceptive pill or HRT
- have cancer or heart failure
- have varicose veins
There are also some times when you have a higher chance of getting DVT.
These include if you:
- are staying in or recently left hospital – especially if you cannot move around much (like after an operation)
- are confined to bed
- go on a long journey (more than 3 hours) by plane, car or train
- are pregnant or if you’ve had a baby in the previous 6 weeks
- are dehydrated
Can I prevent DVT?
It’s worth noting that there are known risk factors and times when the likelihood of developing DVT increases. To prevent DVT, Dr Xand advises keeping mobile to promote blood flow, wearing loose clothing, staying hydrated and limiting alcohol intake. He adds that “standing, stretching and walking every hour” is key and “if you’ve got a long commute” then “regular breaks” are advised, ensuring you are getting up and moving around to “keep your circulation going.”
He concludes by cautioning: “If you’re someone who is worried about this or have had a DVT before, maybe you’ve got something like surgery or pregnancy which raises your risk, then talk to your GP about additional precautions you might be able to take.”