Daily News | Four exercises to prevent blood clots
A blood clot — when the blood thickens to a gel-like consistency — is a natural part of healing when you cut yourself. But it also can threaten your life if it forms within the body where it can slow or even stop the flow of blood.
This is why hospital patients are given leg wraps that inflate and deflate to stimulate blood flow, and are encouraged to get up and walk around if they’re able. But even healthy people who don’t travel can be at risk of blood clots if they spend hours in front of Netflix or video games without getting up to walk and stretch.Swelling, cramping, pain, discoloration and/or warmth in a leg or arm could be a sign of a clot known as DVT .Abrupt, severe pain in the chest could indicate a pulmonary embolism or a heart attack, depending on where the pain is.
Take mini breaks from your desk job or the couch to move. You should be getting up at least every two hours. If you have stairs, go up one flight and back down two or three times. Do a minute of jumping jacks to boost your heart rate and circulation. Grab a glass of water, then go back to work refreshed.On long car trips, aim to stop every 60 to 90 minutes to take a walk or do these three exercises to stimulate circulation in your feet, hands, lower back and lower legs.