Thrombosis: tall people are at risk

Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

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The risk of thrombosis increases with height - this applies to both men and women. The likelihood of blood clots in the legs differs by around 60 percent between particularly tall and particularly short people.

Swedish scientists working with Bengt Zöller from Lund University came across this connection when they analyzed the medical data of more than two million twins. “The average size of the population has increased and continues to grow. That could contribute to the fact that we now also have more cases of thrombosis, ”says Zöller.

Long legs, sluggish blood flow

He explains that gravity could play a central role in the relationship between height and the risk of thrombosis. “It has a stronger effect in longer legs and can slow down the flow of blood or even stop it at times.” In addition, the longer veins of tall people would also have more area where problems could arise.

Zöller suggests including high growth as an additional factor in the risk assessment for thrombosis - as is currently the case with overweight.

Prevent thrombosis

“We can't change anything about our body size,” says the scientist. But there are a few things that people at increased risk of thrombosis can do.

Movement is good for your legs. Those who are physically active on a regular basis can significantly reduce their risk of thrombosis. But those who have to sit for a long or long time - for example in the office or on a plane - can relieve their veins by wearing compression stockings. They are now available in many colors and models.

It is also good to stimulate your blood flow with simple gymnastic exercises: While standing by rocking from the heel to the tip of the toe and back again. Or while sitting, by drawing figures of eight in the air with your feet or energetically pulling your toes upwards and then stretching them out again.

Even if it looks elegant, avoid sitting cross-legged. High heels also make work more difficult for the veins. Alternating showers, on the other hand, get the veins going. On the other hand, when there is a lack of fluids, the blood tends to thicken. This also increases the risk of thrombosis. So drink plenty of water.

Dangerous hikers

Vein thromboses in the legs are dangerous. If they come off, the clots can migrate into the heart or brain and cause a heart attack. Triggers are operations, bed rest or being bedridden, but also cancer. For women, the risk of thrombosis increases during pregnancy and when they use hormonal contraceptives. In addition, being overweight, smoking and cardiovascular diseases increase the risk.

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